It’s two matches to the end of the first round of the 2022/23 Uganda Premier League campaign, and Vipers SC have conceded just three goals in 12 outings.

That’s at least five goals less than what the second-best defense has leaked in thus far, with BUL FC allowing in eight, while Arua Hill SC on nine and KCCA FC on ten follow each other closely.

The Venoms, who have had to make do without last season’s center-back pairing of Livingstone Mulondo and Halid Lwaliwa, have Hilary Mukundane to thank, for the formidable cover.

The former pair was this season disbanded with Lwaliwa leaving for North Macedonian side Bregalnica Stip, while Mulondo has had the better part of his season shuttered with injuries.

Mukundane has put in quite the shift, been the kind of wall and rock many anticipated as the club secured his services last season, alongside either Murushid Juuko or Bashir Asiku on a number of occasions.

After sitting out the opening match of the campaign in his side’s barren stalemate with Soltilo Bright Stars, ‘Bihogo,’ as he’s commonly known, has not missed a second in the league.

He has played 90 minutes for each of the last 11 games, managing a whooping eight clean sheets, while he’s chipped in with a goal for himself in their one-all draw with Wakiso Giants FC.

The non-nonsensical defender has been named Man of the Match on three occasions already, with the latest coming in their last game, a 0-0 stalemate with Express FC.

The Player of the Match awards are, however, only a tip of the iceberg for Mukundane, who has barely put a foot wrong all season, making last-ditch tackles, off-the-line clearances, and consistent timely interceptions.

His aerial presence is second to none and you would struggle to see a player win an in-air duel against the former Mbarara City FC skipper, as he’s physically a beast.

While his passing can still improve, he has been better than last season and an improvement of his Mbarara days, yet the presence of Asiku or Juuko has complemented any of his inadequacies in the aspect.

The Kitende side currently occupy second on the 15-team log with 24 points, just two adrift of leaders KCCA FC, but, if the former are to leapfrog the latter, Mukundane’s influence and consistency will have to play a starring role.