Pepsi UFL: Three More Universities Join as Draws for 14th Edition Held
By Kayiira Jackson
Metropolitan International University, Seeta University and World Mission Frontiers University are the latest entrants into the Pepsi University Football League (UFL), which has unveiled an expanded 2026 season featuring 31 institutions under a regionalised group arrangement.
The draws were conducted on Thursday, October 15, at Kati Kati Restaurant in Lugogo, Kampala, ahead of the 14th edition of the competition, which started in 2012 with just six universities.
The three newcomers join an increasingly competitive field as organisers seek to expand university football while reducing travel costs and logistical challenges through a regionalised format.
The 31 participating institutions have been placed in three groups representing the Eastern, Western and Northern regions, with teams seeking to progress through the group stage to the knockout rounds.
Under the proposed format inspired by the UEFA Champions League, each university will play six matches, including three home fixtures. The top two teams in each group will qualify automatically for the quarter-finals, alongside the two best-performing teams outside the automatic qualification places.
The group stage is scheduled to kick off on 20, October at Hamz Stadium Nakivubo and conclude on April 4, 2027, with the second round expected to begin on February 2. The season will climax with the final on May 8, 2027, although venues for the fixtures are yet to be announced.
Another significant resolution limits each university to a maximum of two players who have featured in the Masaza Cup, a measure expected to influence recruitment and squad selection ahead of the new campaign.
Muteesa I Royal University enter the season as defending champions after winning their maiden UFL title in the 2025/26 campaign.
They defeated YMCA Comprehensive Institute 1-0 in the final on May 2, 2026, at Nakivubo Stadium, with Sam Mutambo scoring the decisive goal through a 28th-minute header.
Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) president George Wagogo said the league’s continued growth underlines the importance of university sport in nurturing talent while promoting academic achievement.
Wagogo noted that the competition provides a pathway for aspiring national-team players and professional footballers, while demonstrating that education and sport can complement each other.
He added that the 2026/27 season would place emphasis on player eligibility, safety, discipline and transparency, with participants required to be registered students below the age of 25.
The association will continue working with the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), security agencies, broadcasters and sponsors to strengthen officiating, improve safety and increase the league’s visibility.
Wagogo also pledged continued engagement with government through the National Council of Sports and the ministry responsible for sports to secure better infrastructure and funding for university sport.
2026 UFL Groups
Group A — Eastern Region
Uganda Martyrs University,Busitema University, Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), World Mission Frontiers University, Soroti University,Kumi University,King Ceasor University, Makerere University Business School (MUBS), Metropolitan International University,Uganda Christian University (UCU).
Group B — Western Region
Muteesa I Royal University, Bishop Stuart University, Mountains of the Moon University, Kabale University,St. Lawrence University, Nkumba University,Makerere University, Kampala International University (KIU), ISBAT University,Bugema University, International University of East Africa (IUEA).
Group C — Northern Region
Lira University, Muni University, Gulu University,YMCA Comprehensive Institute,Kampala University (KU), Kyambogo University,University of Kisubi (UNIK), Seeta University, Ndejje University,Africa Renewal University.
Previous UFL Winners:
- 2012: Makerere University
- 2013: Kampala University
- 2014: Makerere University Business School (MUBS)
- 2015: Makerere University Business School (MUBS)
- 2016: Kampala University
- 2017: Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi
- 2018: Kyambogo University
- 2019: Uganda Christian University (UCU)
- 2020–2021: Competition not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- 2022: Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi
- 2023: Nkumba University
- 2024/25: Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi
- 2025/26: Muteesa I Royal University