Bugiri Municipality MP Hon. Asuman Basalirwa has called for reconciliation between FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo and Vipers SC President Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa, saying their ongoing standoff threatens the stability of Ugandan football.
Speaking to NBS Sport, Basalirwa warned that the league’s credibility is at stake following Vipers’ decision to skip their opening fixture against Kitara FC over disagreements with FUFA’s new Uganda Premier League playing format.
He likened the situation to “having the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) without the biggest opposition party, the National Unity Platform (NUP).”
“The absence of Vipers SC in the league will weaken the competition, as other clubs like KCCA FC may lose the drive to train and push harder without the defending champions to challenge,” Basalirwa said.
The MP urged both Magogo and Mulindwa to set aside personal grievances and focus on dialogue, emphasizing that unity in football must come before individual interests.
He, however, praised the new Sports Act spearheaded by Magogo, saying it provides an opportunity to handle sports disputes through arbitration instead of public confrontations.
The disagreement between Vipers and FUFA has been simmering since the federation unveiled the new league structure, which the Kitende-based side claims was introduced without sufficient consultation. FUFA has insisted the format aligns with its broader goal of professionalizing the league.
Despite the controversy, the Uganda Premier League Secretariat confirmed that fixtures will proceed as scheduled, with SC Villa set to host Entebbe UPPC this Wednesday at the FUFA Technical Centre, Kadiba Grounds.
