Why Venoms must break the hire-and-fire cycle

What the report says

SC Vipers’ run at the 2026 Cecafa Kagame Cup in Kigali has prompted fresh scrutiny of the Ugandan club’s approach to coaching stability. The Observer says the team showed some promise in the tournament, opening with two wins before a narrow loss to APR FC, but also exposed tactical inconsistency and discipline problems, including a red card in the defeat to the Rwandan side.

The article frames these issues against a broader pattern at Vipers: frequent changes to the technical bench. French coach Denis Lavagne was appointed on a two-year contract ahead of the 2026/27 season, replacing Belgian coach Ivan Jacky Minnaert. Lavagne arrives with experience across several African leagues and a record of domestic titles, while former Uganda Cranes midfielder Farouk Miya has also returned as part of the squad’s rebuild.

The piece argues that repeated coaching turnover can undermine tactical identity, player development and dressing-room continuity, even when the club has strong ambitions. It notes that figures such as Richard Wasswa, Edward Golola and John Luyinda have remained involved in different roles through successive coaching changes. With the domestic Super Cup and a CAF Champions League preliminary tie against African Stars of Namibia approaching, the article says Vipers still have time to address weaknesses and give Lavagne room to shape the team.