By: Lawrence Mubiru
The ongoing tension between the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) and top-flight clubs Vipers SC and SC Villa has spilled into the corridors of Parliament, with Hon. Geoffrey Kayemba Ssolo calling for calm and open dialogue to resolve the impasse.
The Bukomansimbi South legislator and Shadow Minister for Sports expressed concern over what he described as a lack of meaningful consultation before FUFA rolled out the new StarTimes Uganda Premier League format. The reforms, which FUFA says are intended to enhance competitiveness and attract investment, have been met with resistance from several clubs.
In a statement dated October 4, 2025, Hon. Kayemba revealed that both Vipers SC and SC Villa had formally written to FUFA expressing dissatisfaction with the changes. While Vipers outrightly rejected the reforms, SC Villa agreed to participate only under protest.
“Whereas the reforms by the FA may be intended for good reasons, it looks as though there were not thorough consultations and engagements with stakeholders,”
Kayemba noted, referring to communications from Vipers’ president Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa and SC Villa’s Hajji Omar Ahmed Mandela.
The MP warned that the growing standoff could fuel unrest among fans, some of whom have already threatened to boycott league matches. He urged FUFA to handle the situation delicately, stressing that football should remain a unifying force in Uganda.
“Football is a unifying sport even with the differences we have in this country,” he said.
Hon. Kayemba appealed to FUFA to emulate international football bodies by engaging clubs, fans, and sponsors before enforcing such major structural reforms.
“I advise that FUFA listens to all stakeholders before implementing such radical changes… otherwise, we can’t afford to lose more football investors, fans, sponsors, and every football-loving Ugandan,” he emphasized.
The legislator also called on the Ministry of Education and Sports, the National Council of Sports (NCS), the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and FIFA to intervene, warning that prolonged disputes could harm the Uganda Cranes’ performance and the broader growth of the sport.
Concluding his appeal, Hon. Kayemba urged all parties to embrace dialogue and uphold football’s principle of fair play.
“It is never too late, and in football, fair play is one of the core values — but it can only be achieved by consensus,” he said.
The FUFA–club dispute has reignited debate over governance and inclusivity in Ugandan football, with many stakeholders urging the federation to prioritize collaboration over confrontation as the league prepares to kick off under the new format.