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Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC have officially parted ways with head coach Ivan Minnaert following the expiry of his contract.
The Belgian tactician leaves St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, after guiding the Venoms to the 2025/26 Uganda Premier League title, their eighth league crown in club history.
In a statement released on Sunday, Vipers thanked Minnaert for his contribution during his time at the club.
“The club appreciates Minnaert’s dedicated service and professionalism to Vipers SC and wishes him the best in his career path,” the club said.
Minnaert’s departure comes just weeks after helping Vipers successfully defend their league title. The Venoms finished the campaign with an impressive record of 19 victories and 10 draws, suffering only one defeat on record—a boardroom forfeiture after the club declined to honour a league fixture against Kitara FC while protesting the new competition format.
Despite domestic league success, Vipers fell short in other competitions. Their hopes of retaining the Stanbic Uganda Cup ended in the semi-finals against Kitara. After a goalless draw in the first leg in Hoima, Vipers were held to a 1-1 draw at Kitende and exited on the away-goals rule.
The club also failed to reach the group stages of the CAF Champions League. Minnaert’s only defeat on the pitch during his tenure came against Power Dynamos of Zambia, who beat Vipers 2-1 at Kitende before eliminating them 3-2 on aggregate in the preliminary round.
While his exit marks the end of a successful spell at the club, Minnaert leaves having delivered silverware and maintained Vipers’ position at the summit of Ugandan football.
Attention will now turn to who the club appoints as his successor ahead of the 2026/27 season and their return to continental competition.
