FUFA Reverses Course, Confirms Uganda Premier League to Return to Traditional Format This Season

19/October/2025

#LCCTV News

KAMPALA, Uganda – In a decisive move that marks a significant shift in domestic football policy, the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has officially confirmed that the Uganda Premier League (UPL) will immediately revert to its previous home-and-away format for the entirety of the upcoming season.

The announcement, made in a communique from FUFA House on Tuesday, ends months of speculation and debate among clubs, fans, and stakeholders and effectively abolishes the group-based system that was controversially introduced in the latter part of the previous season.

The previous format, which saw the league split into two groups after a double round-robin, was met with widespread criticism. Detractors argued it devalued the regular season, created confusing logistics, and diluted the prestige of the league title.

“The Executive Committee, after a comprehensive review and extensive consultations with the UPL Secretariat and club owners, has resolved to return the league to the classic format where each of the 16 teams plays each other on a home and away basis,” the FUFA statement read. “This decision was taken in the best interest of sporting integrity, fan engagement, and the long-term development of our top-tier league.”

The return to the traditional 30-game season carries several immediate consequences: The team that finishes at the top of the 30-match league table will be crowned champion unequivocally, restoring the “pure” league winner model. The previous format had been criticized for potentially allowing a team that finished second in the overall table to win the championship through a playoff.

 The relegation battle will now be a sustained marathon, with the bottom two or three teams (as per the agreed rules) facing the drop directly, increasing stakes and drama throughout the season.

Clubs can now rely on a fixed number of 15 home fixtures, which is crucial for budgeting, sponsorship agreements, and gate revenue collection—a factor that was uncertain under the previous, more complex system.

The decision has been met with relief and approval from key figures within Ugandan football.”We are delighted with this decision,” said a statement from the Uganda Premier League Clubs Association. “The old format is what the fans understand and love. It guarantees fairness and makes every match from the first day to the last equally important. This is a victory for common sense. “Fans on social media have echoed this sentiment, with many calling it a “return to sanity” and a “win for tradition.”

With the format debate now settled, focus can fully shift to the upcoming season. The UPL Secretariat is expected to release the full fixture list in the coming weeks. Clubs, now clear on the structure, will finalize their squads and preparations for what promises to be a highly competitive and eagerly anticipated campaign, free from the structural controversies of the past.

by Y.Emma#lcctv news