The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has reshaped the outlook of the 2026/27 Uganda Premier League season after its First Instance Body (FIB) Club Licensing Committee approved only eight clubs for unrestricted participation while leaving five others battling to overturn licensing setbacks. The decisions, announced after a two-day assessment of clubs and match venues, underline FUFA’s continued push to enforce higher professional and governance standards across domestic football.
KCCA FC, Vipers SC, NEC FC, SC Villa, URA FC, Police FC, Kigezi HomeBoyz FC and newcomers Ntugasaze FC secured Category One licences after satisfying all mandatory, obligatory and best-practice requirements under the FUFA Club Licensing Regulations. Meanwhile, Kitara FC, BUL FC, Maroons FC, Mbarara City FC and Entebbe UPPC FC received Category Two licences, allowing them to compete provided they address outstanding compliance issues before the August 15 deadline set by the federation.
The biggest casualties of the licensing exercise were Express FC, Blacks Power FC, Kataka FC, Lugazi FC and UPDF FC, all of whom failed to obtain licences after falling short in several key areas. FUFA cited deficiencies ranging from inadequate coaching qualifications, unpaid player and staff remuneration, absence of women’s teams and youth academies, poor administrative structures, lack of verified digital platforms and non-compliant stadium facilities. The affected clubs have until July 27 to challenge the decisions before the FUFA Licensing Appeals Committee.
The licensing process also produced major implications for match venues after several proposed stadiums were deemed unfit to stage Uganda Premier League fixtures. MTN Omondi Stadium, Bugonga Fisheries Ground, Royals Park Butema, Kigezi Al-Madina Stadium, Mbale City Stadium, Ebenezer University Playground, Luzira Prisons Ground and Bombo Barracks Playground all failed to meet the federation’s required infrastructure standards. Clubs attached to those venues must identify approved alternatives before July 30.
FUFA maintains that the annual licensing exercise is intended to strengthen professionalism, financial accountability, player welfare, infrastructure development and sound club management rather than merely determine eligibility for competition. With appeals and compliance deadlines fast approaching, several clubs now face a critical period that could shape both their participation and preparations for the forthcoming Uganda Premier League campaign.
