Overview:

The Uganda Premier League Secretariat has clarified issues raised by Vipers SC over their refusal to play a double header, reaffirming its commitment to fairness, transparency and continued engagement with all clubs to uphold unity and professionalism in Ugandan football.

The Uganda Premier League Secretariat is concerned about Vipers Sports Club’s decision and statements regarding their refusal to play in the earlier scheduled double header.

The Secretariate cited several issues raised by Vipers Sports Club that require clarification as follows;

  1. The ongoing league season began with the participation and support of fifteen registered clubs, each embracing the new competition reforms after thoughtful and inclusive consultations apart from Vipers Sports Club. The Football Association and UPL Secretariat remain committed to fostering an open and collaborative relationship with Vipers SC, and will continue reaching out in good faith to work together toward the shared goals and bright future of Ugandan Football.
  2. The Secretariat confirms that Vipers SC received a total of UGX 110 million within the past three months as part of its legitimate earnings, inclusive of UGX 60 million for winning the 2024/2025 SUPL title
  3. FUFA’s access to player registration data is both legal and procedural. It is in accordance with the FUFA and CAF Club Licensing Regulations and is necessary for monitoring compliance, integrity and player status across all clubs. The database is a federation-managed resource meant to protect both clubs and players but not to deprive clubs of ownership.
  4. The UPL secretariat considers all the league football clubs as valuable stakeholders because they all have the same shares and voting rights in the company. This is contrary to the statement made by the club that considers fellow league teams as ‘small clubs’.
  5. The reforms currently being implemented are products of broad stakeholder consultations including clubs, legal teams, sponsors and FUFA’s technical departments. These engagements remain open and ongoing to ensure inclusivity and alignment with international football standards.
  6. The recent adjustment to the two-year contract threshold is not new. This reform was adopted through a collective club decision aimed at balancing player welfare with club investment sustainability, a principle widely practiced in other football jurisdictions.
  7. The double header arrangement is not mandatory. It is a flexible scheduling mechanism between any two willing clubs, designed to enhance fan engagement, media visibility and matchday excitement.

The Uganda Premier League remains committed to professionalism, transparency and collective progress. We continue to call upon all member clubs to uphold unity, mutual respect and adherence to the established statutes and decisions endorsed by the collective body.

The Secretariat assures the football fraternity and all stakeholders that the 2025/26 season will proceed as planned, guided by fairness, integrity and the shared vision of elevating Uganda’s football standards.

End.

 

Download