The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has released the highly anticipated decisions of its First Instance Body (FIB) Club Licensing Committee following a thorough assessment of Uganda Premier League clubs and their proposed home venues ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The rulings, which mark a significant step in preparations for the new campaign, determine which clubs have met the federation’s stringent licensing standards and are eligible to compete in the country’s top-flight competition.
The exercise underscores FUFA’s continued commitment to strengthening professionalism, accountability and operational excellence across Ugandan football.
The Club Licensing Committee convened over two days, Tuesday, July 21, and Wednesday, July 22, 2026, to evaluate applications submitted by all Uganda Premier League clubs in accordance with the FUFA Club Licensing Regulations.
Every submission underwent a comprehensive review against a detailed set of criteria covering sporting performance, infrastructure, legal compliance, financial management, and personnel and administrative structures.
The licensing process remains a cornerstone of FUFA’s drive to build stronger and more sustainable clubs capable of meeting both domestic and continental football standards.Eight clubs successfully fulfilled every mandatory, obligatory and best-practice requirement and were consequently awarded the prestigious Category One Club Licence.
KCCA FC, Vipers SC, NEC FC, SC Villa, URA FC, Police FC, Kigezi HomeBoyz FC and newly promoted Ntugasaze FC all achieved full compliance, earning the highest level of certification available under the licensing framework. Their successful applications reflect strong organisational structures and a firm commitment to maintaining the professional standards expected in Uganda’s premier football competition.
Five other clubs, Kitara FC, Entebbe UPPC FC, Maroons FC, BUL FC and Mbarara City FC, received Category Two Club Licences after satisfying all mandatory licensing requirements but falling short in certain best-practice areas.
While these clubs have been cleared to participate in the upcoming league season, their licences remain conditional upon addressing the outstanding recommendations communicated by the committee.
FUFA has directed the affected clubs to rectify the identified shortcomings before August 15, 2026, in order to achieve full compliance with the licensing regulations.
The biggest disappointment, however, was reserved for five clubs that failed to secure licences following the committee’s assessment. Kataka FC, Express FC, Blacks Power FC, Lugazi FC and UPDF FC were all denied licences after falling short of the required standards set out in the regulations.
FUFA confirmed that each club has received an individual report outlining the specific reasons behind the decision, providing them with a clear understanding of the deficiencies that must be addressed before they can be reconsidered.
Despite the setback, the federation has opened the door for the affected clubs to seek redress through the established appeals process. Any club dissatisfied with the committee’s ruling has until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 27, 2026, to lodge a formal appeal before the FUFA Licensing Appeals Committee. The appeal process offers clubs an opportunity to present additional evidence or demonstrate that they have remedied the shortcomings identified during the initial assessment.
Alongside the club evaluations, the First Instance Body also completed an extensive inspection of stadiums proposed to host Uganda Premier League matches during the forthcoming season. The infrastructure assessment focused on ensuring that venues meet the minimum standards required for elite football, including playing conditions, safety and security measures, medical facilities, spectator amenities and overall match-day operations. The inspections form an integral part of FUFA’s efforts to improve the quality of football infrastructure across the country.
Following the inspections, eight venues failed to receive approval to host Uganda Premier League fixtures. The stadiums deemed unsuitable are 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.
The committee’s decision reflects FUFA’s determination to ensure that league matches are staged at facilities capable of providing safe, secure and professionally managed environments for players, officials and supporters alike.
Clubs whose nominated home grounds were not approved have now been instructed to identify alternative venues from the list of FUFA-approved stadiums. The affected clubs have until Thursday, July 30, 2026, to submit their revised home venues as preparations for the new season gather pace.
The latest licensing decisions once again highlight FUFA’s unwavering commitment to elevating standards within Ugandan football, with the federation continuing to prioritise professionalism, compliance and quality infrastructure as key pillars for the long-term growth and competitiveness of the Uganda Premier League.
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