The Uganda Premier League (UPL) has confirmed that the 2025/26 season will proceed as planned, despite defending champions Vipers SC’s refusal to participate.
This announcement follows Vipers SC’s boycott of their scheduled fixture against Kitara FC last weekend, a dramatic protest against new league reforms that has exposed deep divisions within the sport.
In an official press release, the UPL Secretariat addressed the club’s concerns while emphasizing that the league would continue.
“The Uganda Premier League remains committed to professionalism, transparency and collective progress,” the statement read, emphasizing fairness, integrity, and the shared vision of elevating Uganda’s football standards.
The confrontation arises from sweeping changes to the league format, including a three-round system that splits teams into top and bottom groups after an initial round of matches.
While FUFA and UPL officials have described the reforms as making the league faster, fiercer, and fairer, several clubs, including Vipers SC, have voiced strong opposition.
Vipers SC President Lawrence Mulindwa had earlier accused the federation of disrespect and blackmail in a strongly worded letter, stating that the club’s petitions had been met with social media ridicule, blackmail, rebuke, and exclusion.
However, the UPL Secretariat responded by clarifying that Vipers SC had received UGX 110 million in payments over the past three months, including UGX 60 million for winning the 2024/25 league title.
The statement also defended FUFA’s access to player registration data as both legal and procedural, necessary for compliance with CAF Club Licensing Regulations.
Regarding consultation, the UPL stated that the reforms were products of broad stakeholder consultations including clubs, legal teams, sponsors, and FUFA’s technical departments, with ongoing engagement.
Despite the escalating tension, the UPL has drawn a firm line on the continuation of the competition, emphasizing its commitment to building an open and collaborative relationship with Vipers SC while ensuring the league proceeds uninterrupted.
This showdown marks a pivotal moment for Ugandan football, as the defending champions clash with the sport’s governing body.
As the league moves forward without one of its most prominent clubs, the football community is watching closely to see whether dialogue can resolve the standoff or if the boycott will trigger a broader confrontation that could reshape Uganda’s football landscape.
