“Our objectives were to increase competition, reduce the potential of match-fixing, create a stronger commercial product, and make the football environment more exciting,” Magogo added.
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has bowed to pressure from clubs, sponsors and fans, announcing that the StarTimes Uganda Premier League (UPL) will revert to the traditional home-and-away format for the 2025/26 season.
The decision was reached on Saturday, October 18, 2025, during a high-level meeting held at FUFA House in Mengo, which was attended by FUFA executives, the UPL Secretariat, and representatives from 11 of the 16 top UPL clubs.
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FUFA President Moses Magogo confirmed that the federation had listened to concerns raised by clubs, sponsors, and fans, and decided to restore the double round-robin format in which each team plays the other twice home and away.
“As FUFA, we have listened to the clubs and other stakeholders and agreed that we revert to the old format for this season. We will go back and make more reviews and consultations before considering any future adjustments,” Magogo said.
He explained that the now suspended format had been designed to make the league more competitive and commercially attractive while reducing risks of match-fixing.
“Our objectives were to increase competition, reduce the potential of match-fixing, create a stronger commercial product, and make the football environment more exciting,” Magogo added.
The reversal follows weeks of discontent from clubs and fans across the country. Reigning champions Vipers SC refused to play their opening fixture against Kitara FC at Namboole Stadium, describing the new system as “unfair and uncompetitive.”
Several clubs, including NEC FC, SC Villa, and KCCA FC, voiced strong opposition, with Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago patron of KCСА – and club chairman Martin Sserunjogi publicly criticizing the reforms.
FUFA has since pledged to continue reviewing the league structure to ensure transparency, competitiveness, and long-term commercial growth.