The 2025/26 Uganda Premier League kicked off today, Friday, September 26, with six matches across the country, but the biggest talking points were not on the pitch.
Poor fan turnout, a bungled television broadcast, and simmering resentment over the new three-round league format dominated opening day.
At the Royals Park in Hoima, Kitara and KCCA drew 1-1 in the headline fixture. Traditionally, Kitara’s home games attract one of the league’s largest and loudest crowds, but empty stands today told a different story.
The disappointment was compounded when the game, slated as the only live broadcast of the day, was pulled off air minutes before kickoff.
The official explanation by the broadcaster pointed to ‘technical difficulties’, but analysts claim the decision was deliberate to push fans into stadiums. That effort failed.
The low attendance was not confined to Hoima. FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru hosted a goalless draw between BUL and URA with sparse crowds.
Newly promoted Buhimba United Saints shocked fellow new xomers Entebbe UPPC 1-0 at their Bugonga Fisheries Ground, but again the stands were thin.
Sparse crowds were also noticed as Lugazi beat Calvary 3-1 at Najjembe, Police and Mbarara City settled for 1-1 at the new Kira Road Police Arena in Kamwokya, and Express edged UPDF 1-0 at Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo.
You may be asking yourself why that was the case. It’s mainly because of the new league reforms. FUFA’s new three-round league format has been a thorn since day one.
Fans have already baptized it with hashtags like #SayNoToThe NewLeague Format and #BoycottAllUPLGames, among others.
Leading clubs Vipers, SC Villa, and NEC openly resisted the reforms. Their presidents, Lawrence Mulindwa, Omar Mandela, and Brian Buhanda, stormed out of that infamous September 9 meeting with FUFA, accusing the federation of intimidation and blackmail.
The three sides did not feature on opening day, as Vipers and NEC are engaged in more important CAF competitions this weekend, while Villa’s scheduled fixture against Vipers was postponed, since the latter is in continental action.
It is still uncertain if the ‘rebel clubs’ will participate in the new league format, and reports of Villa and Vipers finding an alternative league elsewhere are already circulating.
The absence of some of the country’s biggest clubs further drained excitement from the start of the campaign.
FUFA has insisted that the reforms are meant to “enhance fan engagement” and grow club revenues. Yet today’s poor turnouts suggested the opposite.
Under the new model, home teams receive 85 percent of gate collections, with FUFA, the UPL board, and the winning team each entitled to five percent.
In case of a draw, the winner’s share reverts to the home side. Clubs must file official revenue declarations to FUFA, with penalties for falsification, so we await the announcements.
For many, the opening day was proof that the reforms risk alienating supporters while weakening clubs financially.
If attendance does not recover, the new league format could suffer a still birth, and Uganda’s top-flight league could find itself in crisis before the season gains momentum.
