The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has reversed its newly introduced format for the 2025/2026 StarTimes Uganda Premier League (UPL) following strong backlash from clubs, fans, and sponsors. The new format, launched with the aim of injecting more competition and commercial appeal, was suspended after widespread protests, boycotts, and empty stadiums.
Background of the New Format
The new UPL format introduced by FUFA was designed as a three-phase system:
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Round One: All 16 teams played each other once in a single-leg league, determining initial rankings.
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Round Two: The league split into two groups — Top 8 and Bottom 8 — with teams playing home-and-away matches within their groups.
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Round Three: The top six from the upper group entered a championship playoff, while the bottom six battled relegation. The remaining teams faced different relegation or playoff scenarios.
This restructured format aimed to enhance competition and commercial benefits by increasing the intensity of matches in later stages. Additionally, reforms included changes in fixture scheduling, data management, player registration, and revenue distribution.
Reasons for Backlash
Despite the well-intentioned reforms, the format was met with significant opposition:
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Clubs: Many top-flight clubs, including Vipers SC and SC Villa, raised concerns about fixture congestion, fairness, and financial implications, with Vipers SC notably boycotting matches.
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Fans: The home-and-away split reduced overall home fixtures for some clubs, leading to fan confusion and low stadium attendance.
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Sponsors and Broadcasters: StarTimes and other stakeholders were worried about unpredictable fixtures disrupting viewership and revenue.
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Operational Challenges: Travel logistics and stadium scheduling proved complicated under the new system.
FUFA’s Reversal and Government Intervention
After weeks of disruption and a formal petition from clubs to the Ministry of Education and Sports, the First Lady and Sports Minister Janet Museveni intervened to mediate the conflict. FUFA President Moses Hashim Magogo announced a suspension of the new format, reverting the league to the traditional double round-robin home-and-away system for the season.
The statement emphasized allowing stakeholders more time for sensitization and consultation, aiming for more inclusive future reforms. Government intervention underscored the critical importance of stakeholder engagement.
Implications for UPL Stakeholders
| Stakeholder | Impact Before Reversal | Impact After Reversal |
|---|---|---|
| Clubs | Fixture congestion, financial strain, boycotts | Return to balanced, familiar schedule with fair play |
| Fans | Confusion, less home exposure, lower attendance | Increased home games, better fan engagement |
| Sponsors | Disrupted broadcast schedules, revenue uncertainty | Stabilized viewership, predictable fixtures |
| FUFA | Criticism over unilateral decision, loss of credibility | Restored trust, commitment to consultation and collaboration |
Moving Forward
FUFA plans to use the remainder of the season for broader and deeper consultations with clubs, sponsors, and fans. The federation acknowledges that successful reform requires buy-in from all parties and promises a more inclusive approach in future league restructuring. For now, the traditional league format will provide stability and familiarity, helping to rebuild trust and fan support.
Conclusion
FUFA’s reversal of the new Uganda Premier League format amid widespread backlash shows the power of unified stakeholder action in sports governance. While innovation remains necessary to grow Ugandan football commercially and competitively, changes must be collaborative, carefully planned, and well-communicated to avoid disruption. The 2025/2026 UPL season will continue under the proven home-and-away system as FUFA rethinks its reform strategy to ensure a more accepted and successful future for Ugandan football.