The appointment, announced by the club on Tuesday, comes days after the departure of Belgian coach Ivan Jacky Minnaert, who left by mutual consent following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.
Lavagne, 61, arrives with nearly three decades of coaching experience accumulated across Europe, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, having managed both club sides and national teams.
In a statement, Vipers said the appointment is intended to reinforce the club's ambitions beyond the local league.
"StarTimes Uganda Premier League (SUPL) champions Vipers SC have appointed highly experienced French tactician Denis Lavagne as the club's new Head Coach on a two-year contract, reinforcing their ambition to sustain domestic dominance while making a lasting impact on the continental stage," the club said.
Lavagne is best remembered for his successful spell at Cameroonian giants Coton Sport, where he won four Elite One league titles and three Cameroon Cups before steering the club to the 2008 CAF Champions League final.
His achievements in Cameroon earned him promotion to the national team job before he went on to coach several clubs across the continent, including Etoile du Sahel, Al Ittihad Alexandria, Smouha SC, MAS Fez, Free State Stars, Al-Hilal Omdurman, CS Constantine, JS Kabylie, USM Alger and Tanzania's Azam FC, in addition to stints in Saudi Arabia.
According to Vipers, the Frenchman has built a reputation for assembling disciplined and competitive teams capable of consistently challenging for honours while maintaining strong performances in CAF competitions.
The club has also retained John 'Ayala' Luyinda as assistant coach, ensuring continuity within the technical bench while blending local experience with Lavagne's international pedigree.
Belgian performance specialist Salmi Yassine has also joined the club as Head of Performance and Fitness Coach, completing the new technical team that will oversee preparations for the coming campaign.
"Together, the trio will immediately begin preparations for the new campaign," Vipers said.
Lavagne's immediate assignment will be to defend Vipers' Uganda Premier League title while also leading the club's campaigns in the Stanbic Uganda Cup, the CECAFA Kagame Cup and the CAF Champions League.
The appointment signals Vipers' determination to keep raising standards on and off the pitch as they pursue sustained success both domestically and on the continental stage.
Lavagne's coaching résumé includes a runners-up finish in the 2021 CAF Confederation Cup with JS Kabylie, a Sudanese league title, four league championships in Cameroon, and a spell in charge of the Cameroon national team, making him one of the most decorated coaches to take charge of a Ugandan club in recent years.