Ugandan football is headed for a shake-up after a majority of Uganda Premier League (UPL) clubs backed sweeping reforms that will introduce a new three-round format starting with the 2025/26 season. The decision, however, has left the topflight deeply divided, with some of the country’s most influential clubs rejecting the changes.
In a tense meeting at the Kampala Serena Hotel, 13 clubs threw their weight behind the reforms championed by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) and UPL leadership.
Yet, the optimism was not shared by all. Defending champions Vipers SC, record winners SC Villa, and fast-rising NEC FC openly led by their leaders in Lawrence Mulindwa, Omar Mandela and Brian Buhanda opposed the reforms, leaving the room before discussions concluded. Their absence cast a shadow over the otherwise celebratory mood, given their stature in Ugandan football.
The three club bosses hit out at FUFA, accusing it of heavy-handed tactics and smear campaigns, including attempts to brand them as opposition sympathisers in order to weaken their stand against the proposed reforms.
“We came expecting to build on last week’s discussions and conclude matters in good faith, but FUFA shifted the goalposts. Instead of dialogue, they chose to dictate. What we witnessed today—threats, intimidation, and pressure on club leaders—is unacceptable in football,” Mulindwa said after storming out.
Mulindwa suggested that FUFA had quietly instructed certain club officials to distance themselves from those opposing the reforms. His concerns were echoed by Mandela, who said his bid to forge unity among chairmen collapsed under pressure. According to him, senior figures allegedly warned clubs against signing any joint declaration critical of the changes.
“Our goal was to present a common position, but colleagues told me they were under strict orders not to sign. Some even feared losing their jobs if they did. That speaks volumes about the kind of pressure at play,” Mandela remarked.
While the dissenters exited in protest, the meeting carried on. For nearly three hours, FUFA engaged with the 13 clubs that remained in the room, and by the end, the majority had given their approval to the new three-round league format and related reforms.
However FUFA president Moses Magogo dismissed talk of turmoil, instead portraying the developments as a step forward for the game. He insisted that while dialogue with dissenting clubs would continue, the matter had already been settled.
“Our game belongs to everyone and must stay above politics. We are open to further discussions with those who disagree, but the reforms stand as official policy,” Magogo affirmed.
