FUFA issues new minimum qualifications for coaches, CEOs set for 2025/26 season

Photo by FUFA Media.

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has introduced sweeping changes to the minimum qualification standards for football coaches and club administrators, as part of a broader professionalisation drive ahead of the 2025/26 season.

These new standards, embedded within the revised Club Licensing Regulations, reflect FUFA's commitment to raising the technical and administrative competence of football leadership in Uganda. The changes also align with the federation’s long-term vision under its Technical Master Plan and Club Licensing System.

Stricter Coaching Criteria Introduced Under the updated regulations, all Uganda Premier League (UPL) clubs will be required to appoint head coaches holding a CAF A Coaching Diploma, the highest coaching certification in African football.

This marks a significant shift intended to ensure the top-tier league benefits from advanced technical expertise on the touchline. Similarly, FUFA Big League (FBL) and FUFA Women Super League (FWSL) clubs will now be mandated to have head coaches with at least a CAF B Diploma.

These reforms follow years of capacity-building efforts by FUFA, including the launch of enhanced coaching programs in line with CAF’s new coaching convention. In December 2024, FUFA hosted its first CAF A Coaching Diploma course at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru.

Twenty-four coaches successfully completed the course, among them notable figures such as Fred Muhumuza and John Ayala Luyinda (Vipers SC), Badru Kaddu (Express FC), and Abbey Bogere Kikomeko (BUL FC).

List of Graduates – CAF A Coaching Diploma, December 2024: Brian Ssenyondo – Uganda Cubs Abbey Bogere Kikomeko – BUL FC Fred Muhumuza – Vipers SC Simon Peter Mugerwa – Police FC Jimmy Kintu Mwera – UCU Lady Cardinals / St. Noa John Luyinda – Vipers SC Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi – Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC Kaddu Badru – Express FC Arthur Kyesmira – Edgar’s FC Alex Gitta – Simba FC Pius Ngabo – UPDF FC Mohamed Ssenfuma – Maroons FC Paul Kiwanuka – UPDF FC Jackson Magera Kaddu – KCCA FC Hassan Zungu – Busoga United FC Tom Ssali – Bright Stars FC Simon Peter Ojok – Maroons FC Godfrey Magoba – UCU Lady Cardinals Umar Abdallah – Melekia SC (South Sudan) Michael Nam Ouma – Gor Mahia FC (Kenya) Richard Kasule – URA FC Medic Momcilo – Flambeau Du Centre (Burundi) Petros Koukouras – Greece Robert Mukasa – Gaddafi FC.

New Standards for Club CEOs On the administrative front, FUFA has implemented mandatory certification levels for Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) across the top three divisions. UPL clubs must now appoint CEOs who have attained at least a FAMACO III certificate, while their counterparts in the FBL and FWSL are expected to possess a minimum of a FAMACO II certification.

FAMACO, FUFA’s Football Administration and Management Course, is a structured program designed to equip administrators with modern football management skills. Enforcement and Compliance Clubs that fail to meet these new technical and administrative requirements during the licensing process for the 2025/26 season will face disqualification from their respective competitions.

Through these revised regulations, FUFA hopes to elevate Ugandan football by fostering a culture of professionalism, competence and international alignment.