SC Vipers’ campaign at the 2026 Cecafa Kagame Cup ended with more questions than answers.
While their performances in Kigali showed glimpses of promise, they also highlighted a familiar issue that continues to define the Kitende club—constant changes in the technical bench.
The latest chapter began with the appointment of French coach Denis Lavagne, who signed a two-year contract ahead of the 2026/27 season to replace Belgian tactician Ivan Jacky Minnaert. Lavagne joined the Venoms with an impressive African resume.
The 62-year-old has coached in Cameroon, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Sudan, Algeria and Tanzania, winning four domestic league titles, three domestic cups in Cameroon and a league cup in Algeria.
His arrival coincided with the return of former Uganda Cranes midfielder Farouk Miya, one of several new faces expected to strengthen the reigning Uganda Premier League champions ahead of a demanding continental campaign.
Vipers began the Kagame Cup brightly, winning their opening two matches before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to APR FC. However, their tournament exposed tactical inconsistencies and lapses in discipline, including a costly red card during the 1-2 loss to the Rwandan champions.
Those shortcomings can be corrected. The greater concern lies in Vipers’ long-established management culture. Over the years, club president Lawrence Mulindwa has developed a reputation for regularly changing head coaches, often at the beginning of a new season or after disappointing results.
While ambition is essential for a club targeting domestic and continental success, sustained progress is rarely built on constant technical upheaval. Throughout those changes, familiar faces such as Richard Wasswa, Edward Golola and John Luyinda have remained within the technical structure, serving in different coaching capacities under successive managers. Continuity is one of football’s greatest competitive advantages.
Tactical identity, dressing-room culture and player development require time to mature. Frequent managerial changes disrupt those processes and often lead to unnecessary expenditure without guaranteeing improved results.
Lavagne has inherited a squad with quality and experience. What he now requires is the opportunity to implement his philosophy without the pressure of immediate judgement.
With the domestic Super Cup and the Caf Champions League preliminary-round tie against African Stars of Namibia approaching, Vipers still have time to address weaknesses exposed in Kigali.