Express have climbed above KCCA in the Uganda Premier League (UPL) standings following a disciplinary ruling by FUFA.
The Red Eagles now sit third on the 16-team table with 28 points, one ahead of KCCA, who drop to fourth with 27 points.
This development comes after KCCA’s 2-0 win against Mbarara City on January 7, 2025, was overturned due to the fielding of an ineligible player, Gavin Kizito Mugweri.
The Controversy
The ruling stems from KCCA’s decision to play Gavin during their match at Kakyeka Stadium against the Ankole Lions.
KCCA initially won the game thanks to goals from Emmanuel Anyama and Etienne Katenga.
However, evidence showed that Kizito had accumulated three yellow cards in prior matches, rendering him ineligible for the fixture, as per FUFA Competitions Rules.
The FUFA Disciplinary Panel Ruling
After a formal petition by Mbarara City, FUFA’s Disciplinary Panel reviewed the match reports, video evidence, and referee records.
The findings revealed that:
Gavin Kizito had been cautioned in three separate matches:
Against Police, Mbale Heroes, and NEC.
While the caution against NEC was not included in official records, video evidence confirmed it occurred in the 56th minute of the game.
KCCA violated Article 29(9) of the FUFA Competitions Rules, which states:
“A player who accumulates three yellow cards in a season shall serve a one-match suspension in the next official match.”
Based on these findings, the panel ruled as follows:
KCCA lose the match against Mbarara City by forfeiture.
Mbarara City are awarded a 3-0 win in line with Article 19(16) of the FUFA Competitions Rules, which stipulates:
“A club that fields an ineligible player shall lose the match by forfeiture, and the opposing team shall be awarded three points and three goals.”
Implications for the League Table
The forfeiture alters the UPL standings significantly.
Express now leapfrog KCCA into third place with 28 points, while KCCA drop to fourth with 27 points.
Mbarara City, meanwhile, gain three valuable points and three goals, which could be critical to their survival or progression in the league after moving from the 13th position to the 11th with 17 points.
Sanctions on Match Officials
The ruling also addressed lapses in officiation.
Referee William Oloya failed to include Kizito’s yellow card against NEC in his official match report, as well as a yellow card issued to goalkeeper Anthony Emojong in the 77th minute of the same match.
FUFA has taken the following disciplinary action:
Referee Oloya is suspended for six months, effective immediately.
Before returning to officiation, Oloya must complete a refresher training program to improve his reporting standards.
His reinstatement will be contingent on providing proof of training completion.
Lessons for KCCA
The ruling exposes critical gaps in KCCA’s internal compliance systems.
Clubs are responsible for monitoring the eligibility of their players to ensure adherence to FUFA regulations.
KCCA’s failure to do so has cost them valuable points and risks affecting their title ambitions.
Reinforcing Refereeing Standards
FUFA’s decision to suspend the referee sends a strong message about accountability among match officials.
Accurate documentation of disciplinary actions is essential to upholding the integrity of the league.
This ruling serves as a wake-up call for clubs and officials alike.
Express have capitalized on KCCA’s oversight, gaining a crucial advantage in the UPL standings.
Meanwhile, KCCA must address their administrative lapses to avoid further penalties.
For Mbarara City, the ruling is a well-deserved victory and a reminder that the rules are in place to ensure fairness.
As the league progresses, all stakeholders must prioritize compliance and professionalism to maintain the credibility of Ugandan football.
Key Takeaways:
KCCA drop points due to a regulatory breach.
Express climb to third, while Mbarara City gain three points.
Match officials face stricter accountability for errors in reporting.
Ugandan football moves forward with a renewed emphasis on integrity and adherence to the rules.
