KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandan football is staring at a clash of priorities after the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) announced increased financial support for Uganda Premier League (UPL) clubs, even as heavyweights Vipers SC and SC Villa pushed back against new competition reforms.
During a meeting held on 26 August 2025 at FUFA House in Mengo, FUFA, the UPL Board, and 11 top-flight clubs agreed on raising annual funding from UGX 2.5 billion to UGX 3.4 billion under the FUFA Club Development Reforms programme. The enhanced package will cover player insurance, prize money, marketing and media activities, locker room bonuses, staffing of the UPL Secretariat, and direct club assistance.
Clubs in attendance — including BUL FC, URA FC, Maroons FC, Express FC, UPDF FC, Police FC, Mbarara City FC, Lugazi FC, Entebbe UPPC FC, Calvary FC, and Buhimba United Saints FC — welcomed the federation’s financial gesture, describing the meeting as productive.
Vipers, Villa resist new league model
However, reigning champions Vipers SC and 16-time winners SC Villa rejected FUFA’s proposed three-phase league format. The two clubs, led by presidents Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa (Vipers) and Hajji Omar Mandela (Villa), argued that resetting points after each phase would punish consistency and distort competition.
They also raised objections to new gate collection rules, which allocate just 85% of revenue to home clubs during single fixtures and 35% in double-headers. Both clubs warned that this model risks weakening their financial stability.
The disagreement sets up a looming standoff ahead of the 2025/26 UPL season, with FUFA pushing for modernization while the country’s most influential clubs insist on preserving fairness and financial autonomy.