The spirit of fan-driven football continues to gather momentum after the official launch of the second edition of the Uganda Premier League Fans Tournament, held at Amicus Hotel in Kireka.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, the competition returns with renewed ambition, promising a richer blend of unity, talent, and community engagement among supporters.
Organized under the umbrella of the Platinum Football Fans Association Uganda Limited, the tournament will once again feature 16 topflight fan teams.
Participants are expected to submit their registration forms at least two weeks before kickoff, with the event penciled in for July or August this year.
Tournament regulations have been carefully structured to maintain competitiveness while preserving its social essence.
Each team will register a maximum of 35 players, but strict guidelines govern matchday selection.
Not more than 10 players aged 30 and below may be registered for any given match, while only three of them can be fielded at a time.
In a progressive move, every team must include a female player in their lineup. Additionally, individuals who have been registered as active players within any league under the FUFA structure over the past five seasons are ineligible to participate.
The format will also evolve as the competition progresses. Group stage and quarterfinal matches will be played in an eight-a-side setup, inclusive of the mandatory female player, before transitioning to the traditional eleven-a-side format—with a female player still required—for the semi-finals and final.
Sultan Hakim Kivumbi, a key figure behind the initiative, emphasized the broader vision of the tournament beyond competition.
He noted that the platform is designed to strengthen bonds among fans while offering an avenue for talent expression and social interaction.
“This is a tournament we organize as fans to foster unity, talent, and community. It allows us to connect and socialize, and we are confident this edition will surpass the first,” Kivumbi stated.
The launch event also doubled as a cultural celebration, with fans hosting a special dinner at Amicus Hotel, underlining the tournament’s role as both a sporting and social spectacle.
Xavier Sports Consultants have been confirmed as the official match ball providers, supplying equipment to all participating teams in this year’s championship.
The inaugural edition set a high benchmark, with SC Villa fans emerging champions after defeating NEC FC in Namalere. Other notable participants included Vipers, Express, URA FC, Police FC, Soltilo Bright Stars, KCCA FC, Maroons FC, UPDF FC, and Kitara FC—teams whose supporters are expected to return with even greater enthusiasm for the upcoming contest.
