• The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has unveiled sweeping reforms to the Uganda Premier League (UPL) that will take effect in the 2025/26 season. 
  • The new structure introduces a three-round format with 16 teams, designed to keep competition intense from start to finish. 
  • FUFA says the reforms aim to professionalize Ugandan football, enhance fan engagement, and attract sponsors, though critics argue the new system complicates the league.

Uganda’s football governing body, Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has announced new sweeping reforms to the structure of the 1st Division League known as the Uganda Premier League (UPL). These are set to take effect from the 2025/26 season.

As per a circular issued by FUFA on August 20, this move has been confirmed that the top-tier league will now feature a maximum of 16 teams. These will be competing under a new three-round format designed to make the competition more exciting and competitive.

In regards to how this works, all teams will play each other once in a one-leg format in Round One. Then at the end of this round, the top eight teams will proceed to Group 1, while the bottom eight are relegated to Group 2.

Then in Round Two, each group will play home-and-away matches. From here, the top six from Group 1 will advance to Group 3 in Round Three, while the bottom two settle for 7th and 8th places.

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Similarly, the bottom six of Group 2 will enter Group 4, with the top two securing 9th and 10th places for the season.

In Round Three, Groups 3 and 4 will play one-leg matches to finalize standings. The winner of Group 3 will be crowned league champions, while teams ranked 11th to 13th will retain top-flight status. The team in 14th place will play a playoff against the 3rd team from the second division to determine promotion or relegation.

Meanwhile FUFA has explained that the reforms are aimed at raising competitiveness and fan engagement.

We want to keep every match meaningful, right from the first kick to the last whistle. This format ensures teams have something to fight for at every stage, whether it’s the title or survival.

Furthermore, the federation added that the changes are part of a bigger effort to “professionalize Ugandan football and deliver a product that excites fans and sponsors alike.”

With these reforms taking effect soon FUFA will be hoping that fans can throng stadiums in large numbers. The fans also can expect a thrilling 2025/26 season where consistency and resilience will truly determine the champions.

The move has however also attracted criticism with some saying it’s complicating the league which should be somehow easy if FIFA had stepped up its efforts to popularize and “Ugandanise” the game.