In a significant turn of events, the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) announced the suspension of its newly introduced league format for the 2025/2026 StarTimes Uganda Premier League (UPL) season.
This decision followed opposition from clubs, fans, and sponsors, leading to the reversion to the traditional home-and-away system that has governed football worldwide for decades.
The controversial new format, unveiled by FUFA, aimed to restructure the league into a three-phase system, with points reset after each round.
Additionally, the introduction of double-header matches and changes to revenue distribution were part of the reforms.
However, these changes were met with resistance from various stakeholders. Thirteen out of the 16 top-flight clubs convened at Serena Hotel to voice their frustrations over the timing, financing, and implementation of the new structure.
The most vocal opposition came from the fans. A campaign to boycott all UPL games under the new format gained momentum online.
The protests culminated in empty stadiums, with the Namboole Stadium notably silent during the UPL doubleheader of Kitara vs Vipers and Villa vs KCCA.
Vipers SC, a prominent club, even refused to play until the issue was resolved, deepening the gravity of the situation.
The escalating crisis caught the attention of the government. Clubs reportedly drafted a formal petition to First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Museveni, urging her to mediate the standoff and safeguard the future of Ugandan football.
In response, the First Lady intervened, directing FUFA President Moses Magogo to discontinue the new league format and revert to the previous system.
A meeting was convened at FUFA House in Mengo, where Magogo officially announced the reversion to the traditional home-and-away format.
This intervention reinforces the importance of stakeholder engagement and the need for inclusive decision-making in sports governance.
It also highlights the power of collective action in influencing change, reminding us that the voice of the fans is a force to be reckoned with.
