New FUFA league format: A bold step forward or a blow to Ugandan football?

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has unveiled a sweeping overhaul of the Uganda Premier League (UPL), sparking heated debate: is this a progressive step for Ugandan football or a disruption that risks destabilizing the game?

Following a consultative meeting with UPL clubs, FUFA announced that a revamped league format will take effect in the 2025/26 season. The changes, outlined in a circular from FUFA CEO Edgar Watson, cover league fixtures, player eligibility, data reporting, and revenue sharing, among others.

Three-round format explained

The UPL will maintain 16 teams, as in the 2024/25 season, but the competition will now unfold in three distinct rounds:

Round 1: One-leg league format

Each team plays every other team once (home or away).
A draw will determine home and away fixtures.
After Round 1, teams split into two groups:

Top 8 → Group 1

Bottom 8 → Group 2

Round 2: Home-and-Away format

Teams in Group 1 and Group 2 play full home-and-away fixtures.
At the end of Round 2:

Group 1: Top 6 advance to Group 3 (title race); bottom 2 finish 7th and 8th.

Group 2: Top 2 finish 9th and 10th; bottom 6 move to Group 4.

Round 3: Final Rankings

Group 3 (Top 6): One-leg format (reversing home/away from Round 1). Determines positions 1–6, with the winner crowned league champion.
Group 4 (Bottom 6): One-leg format to decide positions 11–16.

Promotion & relegation

Teams finishing 11th–13th remain in the UPL.
14th place plays a two-legged playoff against the 3rd-placed team from the 2nd Division.
Teams finishing 15th and 16th are relegated automatically.

Player registration rules

Only players with 2+ years remaining on their contracts are eligible.
Exception: players turning 31 during the 2025/26 season.
All other existing registration rules remain unchanged.

Club data & compliance

Clubs must submit sporting and business data periodically.
Non-compliance will attract corrective measures.
FUFA may develop web-based tools to ease this process.

Fixtures: single vs. double headers

Matches will be scheduled as Single-Headers or Double-Headers.
Double-Headers feature two games at one venue on the same day.
The UPL has full authority to:
- Decide fixture formats
- Combine or separate matches within a 14-day window
- Change venues as necessary

Prize money & revenue sharing

FUFA has allocated UGX 500 million as prize money for the season.
Promotion playoff winner: UGX 2 million.

Gate revenue distribution

Single-header fixtures

Home Team: 85%
UPL: 5%
FUFA: 5%
Match Winner: 5% (if drawn, this share reverts to the home team)

Double-header fixtures

Home Team 1: 35%
Home Team 2: 35%
Away Team 1 & 2: 5% each
UPL: 5%
FUFA: 5%
Winner 1 & 2: 5% each (if drawn, winner share goes to home team)

Operations costs

Fixed costs must be declared and approved by the UPL.
UPL sets costs for Double-Headers; clubs propose costs for Single-Headers.

The big question: Progress or pitfall?

FUFA’s intentions are clear: increase competition, boost commercial viability, and enforce accountability. However, critics argue the system may confuse fans, reduce consistency, and overcomplicate what should be a straightforward competition.

So, is this the shake-up Ugandan football needs to thrive, or could it alienate supporters, strain clubs, and damage the league’s credibility?