UVF tightens transfer rules, sets deadline for clubs

The Uganda Volleyball Federation (UVF) has tightened its player transfer and eligibility rules ahead of the 2026/27 season, giving clubs until September 5 to clear unfinished transfers.

The move comes after a troubled end to last season, when Nemostars Volleyball Club and St Charles Lwanga Ntinda were disqualified from the National Volleyball League playoffs for fielding ineligible players.

The men's league finals were later halted after the National Council of Sports (NCS) intervened, raising concerns over player eligibility and the handling of transfers.

UVF has now warned clubs that players whose transfers are incomplete because of pending payments will not be allowed to play until their transfers are completed.

"All players whose transfers are not yet complete due to pending payments are not permitted to play for any team or club until completion of their transfer process," the federation said in a letter dated August 22.

Clubs have until the end of the day on September 5 to settle the outstanding issues.

"All clubs, players, and stakeholders are encouraged to take note of the applicable transfer regulations and eligibility requirements to ensure compliance and avoid misunderstandings."

The federation has also placed Mujinya Federico, Tugume Barnabas, and Abamukama Owen under eligibility review and said they are not cleared to play for any club.

The tighter controls follow a resolution from the 2026 UVF Annual Congress requiring every transferred player to obtain a valid Transfer Certificate from the federation secretariat before playing in any UVF-sanctioned competition.

The certificate confirms and authorises the player's move from the former club to the new club and is intended to improve player registration, identification, and transfer management.

The new rules are now putting pressure on clubs to complete their paperwork and payments before the new season starts.

UVF has confirmed 32 completed transfers, while 36 others remain pending.

KAVC has the biggest number of incoming transfers still awaiting clearance, with 10 players, while Nkumba University and Cobap have five each. UCU has four, Police VC has three, and Mulago, Seroma Doves, Sky, and Kampala University have two each. Lakers Entebbe has one pending incoming transfer.

On outgoing transfers, Elyon VC has four pending transfers, while KAVC and Mulago have three each. Sky, Thunders, Kampala Royal, Nkumba University, and VVC each have two pending releases.

The situation could affect the strength of several teams at the start of the season if the transfers are not completed by the deadline.

KAVC, for example, has been among the most active clubs in the transfer window but risks starting the season without several of their new players.