Overview:
The clubs instead asked Fufa for more investment and are excited there is more money expected in the new season and ask that money be invested in the old format that has been in existence since 1968 save for only two seasons (1998 & 2005).
The new three phase league format maybe dropped for the forthcoming 2025/26 season following yet another consultative meeting involving Fufa and premier league clubs at Serena Hotel, Kampala on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
Fufa, in a circular dated August 20 revealed a change in the format of the top tier from the current one which faced a backlash from clubs led by record champions SC Villa and reigning champions Vipers as well as KCCA and Lugazi.
The clubs accused Fufa of imposing the league format on them without enough consultation which has borne fruits as the FA, led by President Moses Magogo and some of his executive members met 13 clubs – two absent with apologies.
Speaking the media which waited for over three hours, Magogo acknowledged having a very good interaction with people that matter at clubs although he finally admitted the new league format maybe dropped or not pending further consultations.
“We have had a very good meeting. It is not easy to have club presidents in the quantities and bodies present,’ he told reporters in the Hotel Lobby. “And the objective was the meeting of minds on different issues especially on competition reforms in regards to the Uganda premier league and we have made consensus on a number of them which is a good thing,’ he added.
“I want to assure Ugandans that we shall have a good way forward. As the FA, we love engagements, listening but also very strong in things we believe in and to be specific, issues concerning players, gate collections, data collection and double headers have been resolved.
“And we have listened to the clubs, and I can guarantee you that either way, we may continue with the new format after Tuesday meeting or we may not continue with it depending on the outcome of the Tuesday meeting.”
On behalf of clubs, Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa was happy that Fufa finally appreciated clubs’ concerns and was part of the meeting before he raised several concerns.
“This is the first time the clubs have come together as one person to fight for a just cause. We have had a very constructive cause with the FA where we raised our concerns regarding the competition reforms for the 2025/26 season,” said Mulindwa.
“We have had a series of meetings trying to look at the new format and we have critical concerns but we saw it wise to solve these issues as a family as Fufa is part of the football family, is our mother body,” he explained.
“As clubs, we unanimously agreed that we engage Fufa and the big issue of the document was the timing before its implementation. There was lack of consultation, sensitization and not involving different stakeholders – the clubs, fans, sponsors, broadcasters, media and even the players.
“There are so many innovations, some are good but need time to be studied and understood. This is a fundamental change that you can’t take on a few days and hopefully, by Tuesday we shall have a consensus and we hope football wins.”
Mulindwa cited the example of government introduction of VAT that faced backlash of the population but is now appreciated after a lot of sensitizations.
“We have fans, our sponsors, we had already made budgets, work plans, basing on the old format and those are some of the issues we raised with Fufa. By Tuesday next week, we shall finalize whatever we have discussed in the meeting and we hope that at the end of the day, football wins.”
The clubs instead asked Fufa for more investment and are excited there is more money expected in the new season and ask that money be invested in the old format that has been in existence since 1968 save for only two seasons (1998 & 2005).
Besides BUL, Buhimba United Saints and UPDF, the rest of the premier league clubs were represented.
