Uganda Premier League defending champions Vipers SC have continued their run of coaching changes after parting ways with head coach Denis Lavagne just nearly four months into his tenure.
The Kitende-based club announced on Saturday, October 24, 2026, that it had mutually agreed to terminate its contractual relationship with the 61-year-old French tactician, a day after the Venoms were held to a goalless draw by Police FC at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende.
In an official statement, Vipers confirmed that the decision had been reached by mutual consent, bringing Lavagne’s time at the club to an end after only four months, having been appointed in June, 2026.
“Vipers Sports Club informs its stakeholders and the general public that it has, by mutual consent, ended its contractual relationship with Mr Denis Lavagne (Head Coach), effective October 24, 2026.
“The club would like to thank Lavagne for his services during his stay with the Venoms family and wishes him the best in his career development,” the statement read.
Lavagne joined Vipers on June 30, 2026, replacing Belgian coach Ivan Jacky Minnaert, who was dismissed after spending less than a year at the club.
However, his tenure has ended prematurely following an inconsistent start to the Uganda Premier League campaign and the club’s elimination from the CAF Champions League.
By the time of his departure, Vipers sat fifth in the league standings with 11 points from six matches, a return that fell short of expectations for a club that has established itself as one of Uganda’s leading football sides.
The Kitende based club was on FRiday held to a goalless draw by Police FC at home in a game played on the floodlights.
Lavagne’s departure marks another coaching change at Vipers in a relatively short period, raising fresh questions about stability within the club’s technical setup. The Venoms have now parted ways with two foreign coaches following the exits of Minnaert and Lavagne.
He becomes the seventh coach sacked by Vipers in the last six years with the team having previously sacked Edward Golola in 2020, Beto Bianchi in March 2023, Alex Isabirye in July 2023, Leonardo Neiva in December 2023, Livingstone Mbabazi in 2024, and Nikola Kavazovic.
In June, the club sacked Belgian tactician Ivan Jacky Minnaert.
The latest development leaves Vipers facing important decisions about their technical bench as they seek to revive their domestic campaign, improve consistency and maintain their status among Uganda’s leading clubs.
The club is expected to announce further decisions regarding its coaching setup as the search for stability continues.
