After eight months of intense action, the 2024/25 Uganda Premier League season concluded over the weekend.
Vipers, in the top-flight for just 19 years, were crowned champions for the seventh time, equalling Express FC’s record. The Venoms finished with 69 points, two ahead of nearest challengers NEC FC.
The campaign offered no shortage of talking points—some worth celebrating, others deeply troubling.
The Good
- Unlike the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons, the 2024/25 campaign saw all 16 teams remain in contention until the final day. In previous years, teams like Arua Hill SC were severely affected by financial constraints to the extent that they occasionally failed to field a full starting XI.
- The season also saw a steady increase in match attendance. While there’s still a long road ahead to reach the desired standards, the noticeable improvement in crowd numbers is a commendable development. Isolated cases of poor turnout did not overshadow the overall progress.
The Bad
- Although clubs managed to navigate the financial demands of the season, the persistent issue of unpaid player salaries remains a serious concern. Reports indicated that players at Express FC, Mbale Heroes, and Soltilo Bright Stars went several months without pay. At one point, Express FC players downed their tools in protest.
- The league also witnessed a worryingly low goal return. Vipers SC, the highest-scoring team, netted just 49 goals in 30 games—a modest average of 1.6 goals per match. Mbale Heroes managed only 13 goals all season, an alarmingly poor return.
The Ugly
- The Gavin Kizito–KCCA–FUFA saga exposed glaring shortcomings across multiple levels—technical, legal, and administrative. The inconsistencies and loopholes in how the case was handled painted an unflattering picture of the club, referees, league secretariat, and FUFA. The matter laid bare the systemic weaknesses within Ugandan football governance.
- Refereeing standards showed no sign of improvement, with controversial decisions reported almost every matchday. Matters were further compounded by widespread reports of unpaid allowances to match officials.
- November 1, 2024, marked the darkest day of the season. Assistant referee Peter Kabugo collapsed and tragically passed away during the match between SC Villa and UPDF FC at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku.
