Bukomansimbi South legislator Geofrey Kayemba Ssolo has weighed in on the escalating standoff between the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) and two of the country’s biggest clubs, calling for urgent dialogue before the new league reforms spiral into a full-blown crisis.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Shadow Sports Minister said he had studied letters from Vipers SC president Lawrence Mulindwa and SC Villa boss Omar Mandela, both of which raised concerns about FUFA’s unilateral rollout of the three-round league format.
While Vipers rejected the changes outright, Villa agreed to participate but under protest.
Ssolo warned that FUFA’s approach lacked proper consultation and risked alienating key stakeholders, including club owners, sponsors, and fans.
“Whereas the reforms by the FA may be intended for good reasons, it looks as though there were not thorough consultations and engagements with stakeholders,” he wrote.
The MP pointed to growing unrest among supporters, who have already threatened boycotts in protest at what they see as the federation’s high-handedness.
“FUFA ought to look into these grievances and not just ignore them for the betterment of the game, as football is a unifying sport even with the differences we have in this country,” he added.
Ssolo urged the federation to emulate international practice by building consensus before implementing “radical changes,” stressing that fair play can only be achieved if all parties are heard.
He further called on the Ministry of Education and Sports, the National Council of Sports, CAF and FIFA to intervene and mediate.
“It is never too late,” he wrote, warning that if left unresolved, the dispute could undermine investor confidence and even affect the performance of the Uganda Cranes.
The ongoing row has overshadowed the return of league football and has set the tone for a turbulent 2025/26 Uganda Premier League season.
