Reigning StarTimes Uganda Premier League champions Vipers Sports Club have parted ways with French tactician Denis Lavagne just four months after his appointment at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.
The decision to cut ties with the 61-year-old former Cameroon national team head coach was confirmed in an official statement released by the Kitende-based club on Saturday afternoon.

"Vipers Sports Club informs its stakeholders and general public that it has by mutual consent ended its contractual relationship with Mr. Denis Lavagne (Head Coach) effective October 24th, 2026," reads the official statement published on the club's website. 

"The club would like to thank Lavagne for his services during his stay at the Venoms family and wishes him the best in his career development."
Lavagne was appointed by the Venoms hierarchy in June 2026 on a two-year contract, replacing Belgian manager Ivan Jacky Minnaert, who had also departed St Mary's Stadium by mutual agreement at the conclusion of the 2025–26 title-winning campaign.

The seasoned Frenchman arrived in Uganda boasting nearly three decades of managerial experience across Europe, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East. His extensive CV includes two decorated stints with Cameroonian heavyweights Coton Sport—where he won four Elite One league titles, three Cameroon Cups, and reached the 2008 CAF Champions League final—as well as leading Algerian side JS Kabylie to the 2021 CAF Confederation Cup final. He had previously coached top African clubs, including Etoile du Sahel, Al-Hilal Omdurman, USM Alger, CS Constantine, and Azam FC.

Brought in to organize a disciplined side capable of retaining domestic trophies and making a strong impression in CAF competitions, Lavagne’s tenure was cut short following early-season setbacks, including a premature exit from the CAF Champions League in September. 

Assistant coach John ‘Ayala’ Luyinda and head of performance and fitness Salmi Yassine remain part of the technical setup at Kitende as the Venoms re-organize ahead of upcoming domestic fixtures in the Uganda Premier League and Stanbic Uganda Cup.