A Revised UPL Fixture Released, Namboole to host League Matches
By: Haba Plan
According to a document released by the Uganda Premier League Secretariat—detailing adjusted fixtures—Mandela Stadium will host two high-profile matches on Saturday, October 4, 2025.
At 4:00 PM, Kitara Football Club will take on the Kitende-based Vipers SC. Later at 8:00 PM, fans will be treated to a highly anticipated clash between SC Villa and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) FC, a game expected to offer an electric atmosphere and top-tier football action.
Historically, Mandela Stadium previously hosted test matches involving BUL FC vs Vipers SC and SC Villa vs KCCA FC following its renovation—serving as a milestone in its readiness to return to full competitive action.
Though the earlier communications indicated that the stadium was closed ahead of renovation and expansion, the gates for the outer pitch will be open.
Additional Stadiums Approved
Besides Mandela Stadium, other newly approved grounds for the season include:
Kira Road Police Arena – Home ground for Police FC
FUFA Kadiba Stadium – To be used by SC Villa
Midigo Playground in Yumbe – Home for Calvary FC
Bugonga Fisheries Ground – Home to UPPC FC
Rwamwanja Grounds – To host Mbarara FC
League Kick-Off
The 2025/26 Uganda Premier League season is scheduled to begin on Friday, September 26, 2025. The opening day will feature six matches:
BUL FC vs URA FC – FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru (4:00 PM)
UPPC FC vs Buhimba United Saints FC – Bugonga Fisheries Ground, Entebbe
Kitara FC vs KCCA FC – The Royals Park, Hoima City
Lugazi FC vs Calvary FC – Lugazi Stadium
Police FC vs Mbarara City FC – Kiira Road Police Arena, Kamwokya
Express FC vs UPDF FC – Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo (7:00 PM under floodlights)
Two other matches—Maroons FC vs NEC FC at Maroons Stadium, Luzira, and Vipers SC vs SC Villa at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende—are yet to be scheduled due to Vipers and NEC’s CAF Interclub commitments.
League Format
Round One will run from September 26, 2025, to February 14, 2026. All sixteen clubs will face each other once across fifteen matchdays. Upon conclusion, a league table will rank teams from 1st to 16th.
In Round Two, teams will be split into two groups:
Group One – Top 8 teams
Group Two – Bottom 8 teams
Each group will play a two-leg (home and away) round-robin format.
Round Three will divide teams again, based on Round Two performance, into three groups. Fixtures will be played on a one-leg basis.
The final league standings will be determined only from points and goal differences accumulated in Rounds Two and Three. Results from Round One will not be carried forward.