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Vipers edged UPDF FC 1-0 at the Bombo Military Grounds, while Villa and KCCA lost 1-0 and 2-0 to Arua Hill SC and URA FC, respectively, on Wednesday.
While the other title contenders, SC Villa and KCCA FC slipped, Vipers SC took full advantage to close in on the latter positions of the Uganda Premier League table.
Vipers edged UPDF FC 1-0 at the Bombo Military Grounds, while Villa and KCCA lost 1-0 and 2-0 to Arua Hill SC and URA FC, respectively, on Wednesday.
The Kitende side, in third, have now accumulated 35 points, having played two games less than runners-up KCCA (38) and four fewer than leaders Villa (43).
In a closely contested affair, the Venoms broke the deadlock as early as the second minute as goalkeeper Emmanuel Were fumbled with Milton Karisa's cross before he threw the ball in his net.
In the 15th minute, they should have extended the lead, but Abubakar Lawal's effort was cleared off the line by Douglas Oyirworth.
Defenders Hillary Mukundane and Livingstone Mulondo were then called into action to timely deny an Ivan Ahimbisibwe attack.
Ahimbisibwe, ten minutes after the restart, nearly found the hosts' equaliser, but Fabien Mutombora superbly denied his effort.
Five minutes later, Karisa thought he added a second, but his half-volley missed the target by a few inches.
Alex Isabirye's charges held on despite pressure from the hosts to take home three essential points.
Vipers will return to action with a blockbuster against URA FC on Saturday at the St Mary's Stadium Kitende.
Meanwhile, 12th-placed UPDF, who have 22 points, will be away to Maroons FC next Tuesday at Luzira.
How they lined up
UPDF: Emmanuel Were (GK), Benard Muwanga (c), Samson Kasozi, Ivan Ahimbisibwe, Rogers Mugisha, Frank Yiga, Donato Okello, Christopher Kamagu, Ibrahim Wammanah, Badru Jibril Nsimbe, Douglas Oyirworth.
Substitutions: A. Kyeyune, G. Kimuli, S. Segujja, Ibrahim Magandazi, S. Munir, Rashid Faridi.
Vipers: Fabien Mutombora (GK), Ashraf Mandela, Hilary Mukundane, Livingstone Mulondo, Enock Luyima, Nzau Miguel Lutumba, Garcia Mpongo, Abubakar Lawal, Yunus Sentamu, Milton Karisa (c), Karim Ndugwa.
Substitutions: Denis Kiggundu, Ibrahim Orit, Martin Kizza, Abdu Lumala, Najib Yiga, Rogers Torach, Abubakar Walusimbi
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