With most premier league clubs still in disagreement over Fufa’s new league format, the FA is using the proposed 3.4 billion shillings Fufa competitions development fund as a bait for them to agree to all reforms.
Following another meeting with clubs on Tuesday September 2 at Serena Hotel, Kampala in which consensus over the new format wasn’t reached, Fufa has released a statement.
With consensus reached on issues concerning gate collections, player registration and double headers, Fufa has now openly told the clubs that without acceptance of new league format, the money will be transferred to the Fufa Big League for the next three seasons starting with the 2025/26 season.
“There was consensus that each individual club shall choose in writing by 1700hrs on Monday 8 September one of the following options,” read a statement in parts signed by Fufa CEO Edgar Watson.
The competition format in circular 1202 be implemented for the 2025/26 season and the 1st Division (UPL) shall benefit from the 3.4bn Fufa Competitions Development Fund
Or
The competition format stipulated in circular 1202 is not implemented in 2025/26 1st Division (UPL) season and in the alternative, the Competition Reforms be implemented in the 2nd Division League (Fufa Big League) for the next three seasons together with the associated Fufa Competitions Development Funds mentioned above.
However, as per Tuesday’s meeting, clubs have requested that if their rushed introduction of the new format is for the good of the game, let the funds be invested in the old format that has existed since 1968 save for two seasons.
“What has the old format done so bad that it must be quashed with immediate effect,” wondered Vipers President Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa who spoke on behalf of clubs.
No trust
Meanwhile, some club officials who spoke to Kawowo Sports on conditions of anonymity said it is foolhardy to trust Fufa on matters funds to clubs given past history.
“Since they passed a reform to give each UPL club 50 million per season, it has never happened so how do we even trust them on this,” one club president wondered.
“Even the prize money for the premier league and Uganda Cup is never paid on time and some clubs even went down without getting their share,” another lamented.
“For the past seasons, we have always cried for money but the FA has always insisted that it can’t invest in clubs even with money from government, what has changed now and does it have to be new a format,” another questioned.
Meanwhile, as per the distribution of the 3.4 billion, Fufa retains a significant amount for player insurance, and playing player winning bonuses
Summary of what the FDCF would cover;
- Insurance of players
- Prize money
- Recruitment of more staff at the UPL Secretariat
- Media and marketing of UPL
- Locker room bonus (for every win in the league)
- Cash support for clubs
According to sources, each club will receive not more than Ugx. 80 million per season in cash support to clubs.