Express FC’s difficult start to the 2026/27 Uganda Premier League season continued after they were held to a 2-2 draw by newly-promoted Kataka FC at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, on Tuesday night.

Herbert Asiimwe and Isaac Wagoina were on target for the Red Eagles, while Ali Sentamu and Richard Lempani scored for Kataka in an entertaining encounter under the floodlights.

Express made the perfect start, needing just three minutes to break the deadlock. Steven Yiga delivered from the left and Asiimwe rose to head home for an early 1-0 lead.

Kataka quickly responded and almost levelled three minutes later when Sentamu forced Express goalkeeper Mathias Kigonya into a save.

The visitors eventually found their equaliser in the 23rd minute in impressive fashion. Sentamu picked up the ball from deep and embarked on a solo run before beating the advancing Kigonya to restore parity.

Kataka then turned the game around on the stroke of halftime, with Lempani capitalising on a scramble inside the area to put the visitors 2-1 ahead.

Express head coach Morley Byekwaso responded at the break by introducing Alpha Thierry Ssali and Moses Sseruyidde in place of Asiimwe and Shafik Batambuze.

The changes produced an immediate impact. Five minutes after the restart, Ssali delivered from the left and Wagoina met the ball with a diving header to pull Express level at 2-2.

Kataka remained dangerous despite surrendering their lead, with Samuel Nangonsya seeing a deflected effort crash against the crossbar as the visitors threatened to regain the advantage.

Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages, but neither could find the decisive breakthrough as the points were eventually shared.

The result leaves Express with seven points from eight matches, having now drawn four games this season.

For Kataka, the wait for a first Uganda Premier League victory continues. The Mbale-based newcomers have collected just three points from their opening eight matches of their debut top-flight campaign.