FUFA unveils new licensing regulations for football academies
These regulations are intended to ensure that academies meet both national and federation standards, aiming to improve the quality of training and competition across the country.
FUFA unveils new licensing regulations for football academies
By Chrispus Baluku
Journalists @New Vision
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has introduced new regulations requiring all football academies in Uganda to be licensed by the National Council of Sports (NCS).
In a statement, FUFA announced: “The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has officially released new rules that will regulate football academies in Uganda.”
These regulations are intended to ensure that academies meet both national and federation standards, aiming to improve the quality of training and competition across the country.
In a milestone move outlined in Circular No. 1199, FUFA has de-registered all existing academies and introduced a fresh registration system aligned with the recently enacted National Sports Act, 2023. All academies must now re-register under this new framework—a transformative shift in the football academy sector.
According to the new guidelines, FUFA will open two registration windows each year: January 1–31 and July 1–31. These windows are designed to give academies sufficient time to prepare and submit their applications in compliance with the updated licensing requirements.
Licenses issued under the new framework will be valid for two years, and a tiered system has been introduced to ensure consistent quality and standards across all academies.
This reform is part of a broader effort to align Uganda’s football ecosystem with national legislation. The statement concludes by citing the legal mandate:
“As provided for in Part VII, Section 50(2) of the National Sports Act, any person who wants to operate a sports academy shall be compelled to obtain a license from the National Council of Sports (NCS), subject to endorsement by the corresponding national sports federation.”
Several Uganda Premier League clubs already operate football academies and will be required to comply with the new rules. For example, KCCA FC manages four schools of excellence: Kibuli Secondary School, Masaka Secondary School, Old Kampala Secondary School, and Kyadondo Secondary School.
Other clubs such as BUL FC, Vipers SC, and NEC FC also run youth development programs, all of which must adhere to the new licensing framework.
Additionally, independent academies across the country—including Ankole Home Sports in Ntungamo, Artford Soccer Academy in Ibanda, and Bitooma Youth Club in Bushenyi—will be subject to the same regulatory standards.