Uganda football supporters’ associations, including the Platinum Football Fans Association Uganda Ltd and the Uganda Premier League Fans Forum, have announced a boycott of the 2025/26 Uganda Premier League season.
The fans groups are protesting the newly introduced three-round format, which replaces the traditional home-and-away round-robin system that has been in place since 1968.
Concerns Over New Format
The supporters’ associations have outlined three major areas of concern:
– Exclusion of Fans: Fans feel they were excluded from key decisions shaping competitiveness and finances, despite being the “moral owners of the sport”.
– Threat to Sporting Integrity: The new system may compromise sporting integrity due to uneven home and away allocations, possible dead periods, and resetting points that could punish consistency.
– Financial Burden: New revenue-sharing rules and mandated data systems may place additional financial burdens on clubs.
Demands and Potential Consequences
The fan groups are demanding:
– Immediate Suspension: Suspension of the new structure
– Inclusive Stakeholder Forum: An inclusive stakeholder forum to discuss the format
– Return to Home-and-Away Model: A return to the home-and-away model until consensus is reached
If their demands are not met, they are prepared to continue with boycotts, protests, and appeals to CAF, FIFA, and courts of law.
Reactions from Clubs
Some clubs, including Vipers SC, SC Villa, and NEC FC, have already rejected the new format.
Vipers SC president Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa accused FUFA of forcing teams to endorse predetermined changes, saying, “This was meant to be a follow-up from last week, but it was clear FUFA already had its mind made up” .
FUFA’s Response
FUFA President Moses Magogo Hashim defended the reforms, stating they aim to enhance competitiveness, ensure financial accountability, and modernize match-day operations.
He emphasized that FUFA will continue engaging dissenting clubs, saying, “They are part of us and critical to our long-term vision. We shall keep the door open and continue dialogue until everyone is on board”.
Upcoming Matches
Despite the boycott, the 2025/26 League season will continue with matches scheduled for this weekend.
Kitara FC will take on defending champions Vipers SC, while KCCA FC will face off against SC Villa at Mandela National Stadium.
