Vipers Sports Club head coach Miguel da Costa believes that his side's Uganda Super League title triumph this season was "no fluke".
The Wakiso Town-based club sealed the championship on the final day of the season on Friday when they humbled UPDF FC 4-1 at St Mary's Stadium.
That triumph took Vipers up to 65 points, while second-placed KCCA FC - who ended their campaign with a 2-2 away draw against Police FC in Namboole - finish on 61 points.
"We have worked hard for this trophy and no one should take this away from us," Da Costa told KweséESPN. "We didn't start the first half of the season in a perfect way, but got back to the drawing board and made changes that have driven us to win the title.
"These boys have showed me that they have what it takes to win bigger battles," he added. "I am glad that we shall now play with the top teams in Africa in the CAF Champions League next year.
Da Costa, who joined Vipers in March 2017, will lead the three-time domestic champions to face SC Villa in their Uganda Cup semi final on Sunday.
Villa, who had appeared to be title contenders at one stage, end the season on 55 points.
Vipers frontman Dan Sserunkuma netted the newly crowned champions' third on Friday - his 17th of the season - as he claimed the division's top scorer award.
"God is good," Sserunkuma told KweséESPN. "I joined Vipers SC early this year and see we are champions now, and I am also the top scorer."
KCCA FC may have broken new ground in the CAF Champions League this season, reaching the group stage and defeating Egyptian giants Al Ahly, and assistant coach Morley Byekwaso was proud of his side.
"We are happy that, although we did not retain the title, we have groomed young players in the league this season," Byekwaso told KweséESPN. "We are still in the semi finals of the Uganda Cup and the CAF Champions League."
The assistant coach took charge of 2017 champions KCCA's final game of the season after head coach Mike Mutebi attended the burial of his father.
Proline FC were relegated on the final day along with UPDF FC, while Masavu FC also dropped into the second tier.
Nyamityobora FC, Ndejje University FC and Paidha Black Angels FC will replace them in the top flight next term.