Vipers SC, SC Villa, and KCCA FC — Uganda’s three biggest football institutions — have found themselves on the same side of a heated debate after strongly opposing the latest reforms introduced by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) for the 2025/26 season.
The three giants, who often clash on the pitch and compete fiercely off it, are now united in their resistance to what they describe as a dangerous experiment that threatens the stability and growth of the domestic game. Their opposition reflects the depth of unease spreading across the Uganda Premier League as FUFA attempts to overhaul its competition structures, player registration rules, and financial model.
FUFA president Moses Magogo insists that the reforms — contained in Circular No. 1202 issued on August 20, 2025 — are designed to increase competitiveness, improve financial transparency, and modernize the game. But the clubs argue the measures were rushed through without proper consultation, lack practical grounding, and risk undermining both sporting integrity and club sustainability.
The new system proposes a three-round league format with a maximum of 16 teams. In the opening round, all teams play each other once to determine rankings. The top eight progress to an elite group in Round Two, while the rest drop into a lower tier. From there, the league splits further: the best six sides move into a championship group in Round Three, while struggling teams fight relegation in a survival group. Critics say the resetting of points between rounds makes the competition unfair and strips the league of its traditional merit-based progression.
Beyond the format, FUFA has also introduced stringent financial controls. Home teams will keep just 85 percent of gate collections in single fixtures after deductions, and as little as 35 percent during double-headers, with the federation and league body pocketing significant portions. Clubs are also required to submit detailed business and sporting data after every match, including attendance figures and revenues, with penalties for non-compliance.
Even more controversial is the new player registration rule, which allows only players with at least two years left on their contracts to participate, except for those turning 31. Clubs fear this will interfere with existing agreements and restrict squad flexibility. They have also raised concerns over mandatory tracking technology and the forced sharing of sensitive data, warning that this violates Uganda’s Data Protection and Privacy Act.
Vipers and Villa were the first to jointly voice their disapproval, describing the reforms as “ill-conceived, undemocratic, and financially unsustainable.” They demanded that FUFA suspend implementation and convene an inclusive stakeholders’ forum to find a more realistic path forward. Their letter stressed that football clubs are committed to growth but cannot thrive under policies imposed without consensus.
KCCA FC, through its CEO Anisha Muhoozi, also expressed displeasure, particularly with the financial model. In her communication to FUFA, she emphasized that clubs should be allowed to collect and retain their own revenue, that revenue-sharing should only be considered once a significant number of clubs are financially stable, and that accumulated points must carry through the season instead of being reset.
What makes this standoff unprecedented is the rare unity of Uganda’s three most influential clubs, who are usually divided by rivalry but are now bound by a common cause. Together, Vipers, SC Villa, and KCCA FC have signaled that FUFA cannot easily push through reforms that, in their view, threaten the very foundations of the domestic game.
As pressure mounts, the coming weeks will test FUFA’s willingness to compromise, and the strength of solidarity among clubs that are determined to protect their interests and the future of Ugandan football.
