Player eligibility scandal rocks Uganda Volleyball League

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National Volleyball League

Women (Finals game one) 

KCCA 3 VVC 0

Cancelled Games

Men’s Serie A Finals — Postponed due to Nemostars disqualification

Men’s Serie B Finals — Postponed due to St Charles Lwanga Ntinda disqualification

Men’s Serie A Final

Elyon v Sport-S (dates to be confirmed)

Men’s Serie B Final

Nkumba vs Prisons (dates to be confirmed)

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Nemostars Volleyball Club and St Charles Lwanga Ntinda Volleyball Club have been disqualified from the National Volleyball League playoff finals after being found guilty of fielding ineligible players.

The rulings, confirmed by the Uganda Volleyball Federation in a statement signed by president Sadik Zaid Nasiwu on March 28, 2026, followed investigations into petitions filed by Elyon Volleyball Club and Nkumba Volleyball Club.

Nemostars had eliminated Elyon on the court in the Serie A playoffs, but that result was overturned after the federation found the club guilty of using ineligible players.

“We received two petitions from Elyon VC petitioning Nemostars VC for fielding ineligible players, namely Mr Salva Marial and Mr Federico Mujinya,” the statement read.

UVF said it appointed a three-member committee to investigate the matter and advise on the way forward.

“The committee found that both Salva Marial and Federico Mujinya are in breach of the UVF constitution and 2022 UVF bylaws,” the federation added.

Elyon was consequently awarded a 3-0 victory and progressed to the final, replacing Nemostars despite losing the tie on the court.

A similar ruling was made in the Serie B playoffs involving St Charles Lwanga Ntinda VC following a petition from Nkumba.

“We received a petition from Nkumba VC petitioning St. Charles Lwanga Ntinda VC for fielding an ineligible player, Mr Barnabus Tugume,” UVF said.

After another review by a three-member committee, the federation reached the same conclusion.

“The committee found that Mr Barnabus Tugume and St Charles Lwanga Ntinda VC are in breach of UVF constitution and 2022 UVF bylaws.”

Nkumba were awarded a 3-0 victory and advanced to the final, effectively replacing Ntinda in the title decider.

The decisions mean the men’s Serie A and Serie B finals were not played as earlier scheduled, with new dates expected to be communicated.

“We would like to advise anyone to follow the constitution, the rules and regulations of the game of volleyball in the country,” the federation said.

The developments have raised concerns about compliance in the sport, player registration systems, and the enforcement of eligibility rules.

According to the Uganda Volleyball Federation regulations under “Teams Right to Participate”, clubs are required to submit their entry forms at least one month before the start of the league, and only those formally affiliated with the federation are permitted to compete.

The rules further stipulate that only players whose clubs have fully paid the required registration fees are eligible to take part in the competition.

Meanwhile, the women’s finals proceeded without disruption. KCCA Ladies Volleyball Club made a strong start to the finals with a 3-0 victory over Vision Volleyball Club in the opening game.

KCCA had earlier eliminated defending champions Sport-S Volleyball Club with a dominant 3-0 win in the semi-finals.

Vision Volleyball Club also impressed by knocking out KCB Nkumba, sealing their place in the final with a 3-1 series victory.