Fans Urge FUFA to Resolve Kitara–Vipers Fixture to Safeguard League Integrity
Football fans under the umbrella of Platinum Football Fans Association Uganda Limited have called on the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) to urgently resolve and reschedule the disputed Kitara–Vipers Uganda Premier League fixture, warning that delays could spark future controversy in the title race.
The fans made the appeal during a press conference held on Monday at Papyrus Terrace Restaurant in Kampala, where they reviewed key issues that characterized the first round of the Uganda Premier League.
Addressing the media, the Association’s Chairperson, Sultan Hakim Kivumbi, stressed that the unresolved matter could have serious implications as the league grows more competitive.
“We want to know the verdict between Vipers and Kitara. We see serious competition in the league, and we might reach a time when it is only a single point that determines the champion. To avoid future turbulence, FUFA should decide on this matter as early as possible,” Kivumbi said.
Also present at the briefing were the Association’s Treasurer, Kasirye Ronald, and Ziridamu Henry, who echoed the call for transparency and consistency in league administration.
Kasirye revealed that the association plans to strengthen fan engagement countrywide by visiting all registered fans’ clubs, particularly those affiliated with Uganda Premier League teams.
“We are going to visit all fans’ clubs across the country together with their management. We also plan to organize a SUPL fans’ football tournament like we did last year. Our goal is to build the biggest football fans’ base in Africa,” Kasirye noted, urging supporters to join the forum.
The press conference also touched on remarks recently made by FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo during a television appearance on NBS Sport, where he suggested that institutional clubs should gradually be phased out in favor of community-owned clubs—a proposal that has since ignited debate within Uganda’s football fraternity.
Reacting to the proposal, Kivumbi described the idea as progressive but cautioned against rushed implementation.
“The idea is not bad, but it must be gradual. It cannot be an overnight thing. There needs to be emotional attachment to these teams and proper policies put in place. It is a journey,” he said.
In the same briefing, fans highlighted several challenges that affected the league’s first round, including the suspension of players over alleged match-fixing and clubs failing to meet players’ salary and welfare obligations.
“We observed incidents where players at a certain club declined to participate in league matches due to non-payment of salaries and welfare concerns. Such issues affect the image of the league and the competitiveness of matches,” the fans noted.
The association called on FUFA and league organizers to address these concerns decisively to protect the credibility, competitiveness, and future growth of the Uganda Premier League.