Uganda Premier League CEO Bainamani Bernard Bampire has weighed in on the ongoing standoff between FUFA and topflight clubs, stressing that the federation’s reforms are meant to strengthen competition and commercial value rather than weaken club interests.
Bainamani explained that the process began when FUFA presented a new format to clubs and league management, followed by another meeting centered on the financial package attached to the reforms.
He said the proposals were part of FUFA’s wider Competitions Development Program, which has already seen changes introduced across district and regional leagues.
Previously fragmented competitions have been merged into single groups to improve quality, and the same model is being extended to the topflight.
According to the UPL boss, the intention is to push Ugandan clubs to become more competitive on the continent.
“We want more competition so that our champion, at the end of the day, is competitive at CAF level,” he told NBS Sport.
He revealed that prize money is projected to rise from 128 million shillings to 500 million under the reforms, alongside increased investment in the UPL secretariat to professionalize operations in media, marketing, and administration.
Bainamani also pointed to new allocations for youth structures, coach development, and technical capacity-building as key pillars of the plan.
“When you talk of development, you cannot run away from money. The reforms are about making the league commercially viable, competitive, and a platform for producing quality players,” he said.
However, the CEO acknowledged the sticking point between FUFA and clubs.
While clubs have argued that development goals can still be met under the current league format if the promised funds are provided, FUFA has insisted the new format and money must go hand in hand.
He clarified that the secretariat is ready to implement whichever model the federation and clubs eventually agree on, pointing out that fixtures have already been released but can be quickly adjusted.
“Whichever the format is agreed between the parties concerned, we shall be there to implement,” he said.
Bainamani’s comments come in the wake of FUFA 3rd Vice President Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi’s controversial statement that the federation could “wake up and abolish the league,” remarks that drew backlash from clubs and fans.
For now, the dispute remains unresolved, with clubs risking reduced financial support if they maintain their opposition to the new structure.
The fate of the 3.4 billion shilling package FUFA has promised to inject into competitions may well depend on whether consensus is reached in the coming week.
