Club bosses accuse FUFA of intimidation in league format dispute

Tensions flared on Tuesday evening at Kampala Serena Hotel when Vipers president Lawrence Mulindwa, SC Villa president Omar Mandela, and NEC FC chairman Buhanda stormed out of a meeting convened by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), Uganda Premier League (UPL), and club officials to resolve disputes surrounding the proposed new league format set to kick off in the 2025/2026 season.

The trio accused the football governing body (FUFA) of blackmail, intimidation, and dictatorship, and of linking them to opposition politicians in order to discredit their resistance to the controversial reforms.

“We thought we were coming here to pick up from where we stopped in last week’s meeting and finalise everything, but FUFA came with something else. They want to dictate, and they used means that are unacceptable in football. Club chairmen were threatened and intimidated,” Mulindwa told the media after walking out.

He further alleged that FUFA instructed some club bosses to distance themselves from dissenters.

“FUFA told them that whoever opposes the reforms is working with the opposition. That is not true, and I cannot support such an arrangement,” he added.

Before the meeting, Mandela clashed with FUFA Communications Director Ahmed Hussein, accusing the federation of threatening clubs to endorse the changes, an allegation Hussein denied.

“Why were you calling and threatening people?” Mandela questioned as Ahmed denied.

Mandela later claimed that his plan to rally chairmen into presenting a united front was thwarted by threats from “bosses” warning against signing any joint document.

“We wanted to speak with one voice, but they told me they had strict orders not to sign anything and that whoever did so would lose their job. This shows the level of intimidation,” he said.

Despite the walkout, the remaining 13 UPL clubs continued with FUFA for nearly three hours and eventually endorsed the new three-round league format and reforms.

Kitara FC’s former president, and a key decision maker in the club Deo Kasozi, praised the reforms, insisting they would benefit the game.

“We have analysed the new format and seen the many advantages. It will bring more competitive games and more money for clubs and players. I ask our fans to support this format. I am also sure our brothers at Vipers, Villa, and NEC will eventually join us,” he said.

Express FC CEO Ashraf Miiro also threw his support behind the changes, dismissing allegations of coercion.

“With the new format, every match will be competitive. There will be no big or small teams, everyone now has a chance. Nobody threatened Express into accepting this,” Miiro stated.

FUFA president Moses Magogo refuted claims of intimidation and downplayed reports of a walkout.

“The members who walked out asked to be excused because they had other urgent matters. As chair of the meeting, I allowed them. Football is for everyone and must remain non-partisan, we should not politicise it,” he said.

UPL CEO Bernard Bainamani later confirmed that the new format will be implemented next season.

“The agreement has been reached, and we are waiting for FUFA CEO Edgar Watson’s official circular. We will continue engaging Vipers, Villa, and NEC because we need them in the league. They are very important clubs that add value to our league,” he explained.

These reforms will take effect in the 2025/2026 season. Meanwhile, Vipers, the UPL defending champions and NEC who were runners-up and an emerging force in Ugandan football will represent the country in next season’s CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup.