FUFA yields to pressure, restores old Uganda Premier League format

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has officially confirmed that the StarTimes Uganda Premier League will return to its traditional format, following intense consultations and mounting pressure from clubs and fans.

FUFA President Announces Suspension of 2025–2026 SUPL Format@MosesMagogo | #StarTimesUPL https://t.co/gjv1i3IThP

— FUFA (@OfficialFUFA) October 18, 2025

The resolution was reached during a high-level meeting held on Saturday at FUFA House in Mengo, attended by officials from FUFA, the Uganda Premier League (UPL) secretariat, and representatives from 11 of the 16 topflight clubs.

FUFA President Moses Magogo announced that the decision was made after extensive engagements with key stakeholders.

“As FUFA, we have listened to the concerns raised by clubs and other football partners. We’ve agreed to revert to the old format for this season while continuing to review and consult further ahead of the next campaign,” Magogo explained.

He emphasized that the discussions focused solely on the league format, while other reforms introduced earlier will remain under consideration.

“Today’s meeting dealt only with the format. The rest of the reforms will still be reviewed as part of a broader improvement process,” he added.

Clubs and Fans Push Back

FUFA’s earlier attempt to introduce a new league structure had been met with widespread resistance. Many clubs and fans openly expressed dissatisfaction, claiming the changes were rushed and complicated.

Although 15 clubs reluctantly agreed to participate under the new format, Vipers SC defied the directive and boycotted their opening fixture against Kitara FC at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

The backlash extended to the terraces, with fans boycotting matches in protest leading to empty stands and a noticeable decline in league excitement and visibility.

How the Controversy Began

The standoff can be traced back to July 2025, when FUFA met club officials to review the previous season. It was in that meeting that FUFA’s Executive Committee floated the idea of adopting a new competition structure, to be implemented immediately in the 2025/26 campaign.

On August 20, FUFA CEO Edgar Watson sent an official circular to clubs outlining the revised league model and accompanying reforms covering data management, player registration, and financial incentives.

What the New (Now Reversed) Format Entails

The proposed system maintained 16 teams in the top division but introduced a complex three-round competition model.

Round One: Each club would play 15 matches in a round-robin format.

Round Two: Teams would split into two groups — “Top 8” and “Bottom 8” — playing home and away fixtures.

Round Three: The Top 8 would then split again; the top six would contest the title while the bottom two joined the best two from the lower group. The remaining six would battle to avoid relegation.

The structure, intended to increase competitiveness and TV content, instead created confusion and logistical challenges for clubs and fans alike.

What Lies Ahead for the Uganda Premier League

With FUFA’s latest decision, the Uganda Premier League will proceed under its familiar two-round home-and-away format, restoring clarity and tradition to the country’s top-flight football.

FUFA, however, maintains that dialogue and structural reviews will continue throughout the season to ensure the league evolves sustainably.