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The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has suspended the controversial new format of the 2025/2026 StarTimes Uganda Premier League (UPL) following widespread opposition from clubs, fans, and league sponsors.
In a statement released on Friday, FUFA announced that the league will revert to the traditional home-and-away format, ending weeks of speculation and discontent that had clouded the start of the new football season.
“The FUFA Executive Committee has taken a decision to suspend the format of the 2025/2026 StarTimes Uganda Premier League season after consultations with the UPL clubs, league sponsors, and the Uganda Premier League Board,” the statement read.
According to FUFA, Rule 14:4-12 of the 2025 Competition Rules — which governed the new format — will no longer apply this season. The federation said the suspension is intended to give all stakeholders “more time to understand the new UPL reforms through various forms of sensitisation.”
FUFA President Moses Magogo said the next 12 months will be used to “educate and sensitise” stakeholders about the intended benefits of the new format, which was initially aimed at improving competition quality and reducing fixture congestion.
The Uganda Premier League Board (UPLB) is now expected to work closely with FUFA, club chairpersons, and sponsors StarTimes to restore confidence and ensure a smooth return to the regular league format.
The 2025/2026 UPL season will now continue under the traditional 16-team, home-and-away structure, with clubs playing each other twice — once at home and once away — as has been the case for years.