FUFA unveils new Uganda Premier League winners trophy

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has officially unveiled a brand-new trophy for the Uganda Premier League, aptly named Margherita, in honor of Uganda’s highest peak on Mt. Rwenzori.

The new trophy will make its debut this Saturday when Vipers SC lift it as champions of the 2024/25 Uganda Premier League season.

“The design of the new FUFA Uganda Premier League trophy is rooted in a deep and symbolic concept that mirrors the country’s beauty,” FUFA announced in a statement on Thursday.

Inspired by Uganda’s majestic landscapes—particularly its hills and mountain ranges, the trophy symbolizes the journey of football clubs striving to climb higher and assert dominance on the national stage.

“The trophy draws inspiration from Uganda’s hills and mountain ranges, representing top-flight teams competing with the ambition to rise above one another and reach the highest point in Ugandan football,” FUFA explained.

Standing 511mm tall, the height of the trophy is a deliberate nod to Margherita Peak, which stands 5.11 kilometers above sea level—the highest point in Uganda.

“The pinnacle of this journey is 5.11km above sea level, symbolizing the best team in the league—whose excellence mirrors Margherita Peak, the namesake of the FUFA Uganda Premier League Trophy,” the federation added.

The previous league trophy, in use since 2015, was seen as plain and lacking in symbolism. Though lifted by past champions like KCCA FC, Vipers SC, and Express FC, it failed to reflect Ugandan identity—prompting years of calls from fans and stakeholders for a more meaningful design.

“There has been a long-standing public outcry for change in competition trophies, and FUFA has now begun that journey,” the statement said.

This is not FUFA’s first redesign; the federation has also updated the FUFA TV Cup and FUFA Women Super League trophies.

Margherita is crafted from fine silver and shaped like a vertically elongated football. It features classic hexagonal and half-pentagonal patterns, a crescent curve to signify ambition, and a semi-spherical base structured in tiers. Vertical lines evoke the stretched panels of a football, symbolizing clubs' upward progression, while engravings of “FUFA” and “Uganda Premier League” give the trophy a modern and bold identity.

“Margherita is more than a trophy. It is a silver sculpture that tells a story—a tribute to the teams and players who ascend to the top of Ugandan football with strength and purpose,” FUFA stated.

The new trophy not only celebrates sporting excellence but also encapsulates the spirit of Uganda’s football journey—rooted in ambition, resilience, and national pride.