FUFA has confirmed that the Uganda Premier League will return to the old format. The development was confirmed on Saturday after a meeting between FUFA, the Uganda Premier League secretariat and clubs.
FUFA President Moses Magogo revealed that after a series of meetings and discussions, it has been agreed that the top-flight league reverts to the old format.
“As FUFA, we have listened to the clubs and other stakeholders and agreed that we revert to the old format for this season. We will go back and make more reviews, further consultations and we will get back to it next season,” he said.
Of the 16 clubs, eleven attended the meeting at FUFA House and the discussions dwelt mainly on forging a way forward.
Magogo was quick to say, it is only the format that has been discussed, but the other reforms that were introduced at the start of the season will continue to be reviewed.
“In today’s meeting, we have only discussed the format but the other reforms that were introduced will continue to be discussed,” he added.
Since the introduction of the new League forms, there has been a backlash, especially from clubs and fans, many of whom detest the changes.
Despite 15 of the 16 clubs eventually opting to play, Vipers SC insisted they would not take part and indeed failed to show up for their League game against Kitara FC at Namboole.
Across the other games, the majority of the fans had opted not to go to stadia in a way to oppose the reforms, and indeed it has hurt the brand of the League.
How the entire saga started
FUFA met clubs in July this year to review the previous campaign. In the same meeting, the clubs were told that the FUFA Executive Committee had an idea of creating a new playing format for the League, which would commence with immediate effect, which is the 2025/26 season.
On 20th August 2025, FUFA, through its CEO Edgar Watson, sent a circular to clubs, explaining the new changes that were not only limited to the fixtures but also included areas such as data, player registration and financial benefits among others.
Understanding the new League Format
THE LEAGUE FORMAT
FUFA revealed that the 1st Division League (Uganda Premier League) would comprise a maximum of 16 Teams. This is the same number of teams that took part in the 2024/25 season.
However, the League was to be played over three rounds. The first round would be a round-robin format where each team would play 15 games.
After the first round, the teams would be divided into “Top 8” and “Bottom 8” depending on their performance. In the second round, games would be played on a home-and-away basis.
The top 8 then would be divided further depending on the performance after the 14 games. The top 6 would remain on their own to fight for the title while the bottom two would form another group that would have the top two performers from the bottom 8 teams.
The remaining six teams from the teams in the bottom eight would then fight for relegation. At this stage, the games would only be played on a one-leg basis.
Omuntu awonye akavuyo ka fufa, am sure the games are now going to be competitive and fans will fill stadiums
We are appreciated your services
Common sense won this time, this business of imposing things on people without consensus is not. Kudos to Vipers for standing their ground.
We thank former fufa president Vipers owner for his tireless effort to continue bringing back sanity in the football business of Uganda..
Magogo thought he can manipulate Ugandan football hehehehehe our Lawrence Mulindwa is still alive..
Shame on you Magogo and team..
They wanted to start doing fixed matches on the whole league… Imagine such..
God save us from Mafias..
It was a great innovation that was to regress our league! Which football leagues use such a format and how successful are they?
Change is inevitable. Management of the transition is key in its successful achievement of the change adoption and it’s goals. Take home is change is inevitable.
But where did Magogo come from?? Seriously i hate him since day one. Good enough Mulindwa is one man army and finally won. Genius.
Football won .oyee.
Foot ball won .bigup to all our beloved fans who truly love da game.