Unpaid referees undermine the integrity of the Uganda Premier League

As the 2024/2025 Uganda Premier League season nears its dramatic conclusion, a troubling issue continues to cast a dark cloud over the campaign: referees have gone the entire season without pay.

This is not just a financial oversight—it’s a direct threat to the integrity, credibility, and future of Ugandan football.

Referees are the custodians of fairness. They shape results, enforce discipline, and uphold the rules that make the game what it is. When these crucial figures are left unpaid, it breeds skepticism, fuels disillusionment, and creates an environment vulnerable to corruption—whether actual or perceived.

In a sport where impartiality is everything, failing to compensate referees sends a deeply damaging message.

The season has already seen its fair share of controversial calls—missed penalties, questionable red cards, and decisions that have left coaches, players, and fans exasperated.

While human error is part of the game, the context of non-payment raises uncomfortable questions: Are referees still motivated to give their best? Can they remain impartial when financial hardship looms? Is the fairness of the title race and relegation battle at risk?

Fans, too, are not oblivious. Once the heartbeat of matchday atmospheres, they are growing disillusioned. Confidence in officiating is waning, and in a league already fighting for visibility, sponsorship, and growth, this erosion of trust is a dangerous trend. Supporters turn up for passion, drama, and fair competition—not for chaos fueled by administrative neglect.

This crisis points to deeper structural flaws. Ugandan football cannot run on passion alone. Professionalism must be embedded at every level—from the boardroom to the pitch. It is unacceptable that those responsible for upholding the game’s integrity are treated as an afterthought.

There is still time to make things right. FUFA and the league organizers must urgently act—not only to clear outstanding payments, but to restore the morale and trust of match officials. Clear communication, structured referee welfare, and lasting accountability are no longer optional—they are essential.

Football is nothing without fairness. And fairness begins with ensuring that those who blow the whistle are not left whistling in vain.

How this crisis is handled will speak volumes about the values of Ugandan football leadership. Will they uphold the sanctity of the game—or continue to neglect those whose integrity is its foundation?