In a decisive step toward enhancing professionalism in Ugandan football, the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has unveiled its Club Licensing Action Plan for the 2025/26 season.
The plan is designed to ensure that clubs participating in the Uganda Premier League (UPL) align with modern governance and operational standards.
The journey toward implementation began on May 20, when the Club Licensing Committee convened to deliberate on the structure of the upcoming licensing cycle. Building on those discussions, FUFA officially released the updated Men’s and Women’s Club Licensing Regulations (2025 Edition) on June 10.
Stakeholder engagement continues with a pre-season meeting scheduled for June 26, bringing together chairpersons and CEOs from all UPL clubs. At this meeting, FUFA will also launch the Club Licensing Points Scoring System, which evaluates clubs on various criteria tied to infrastructure, legal, financial, and sporting standards.
The first key milestone for clubs will be the opening of the primary registration window on July 1, followed by physical inspections of club facilities between July 10 and July 31. All required documentation must be submitted by the end of July to be considered for licensing.
Licensing verdicts will be delivered between August 4 and August 6, with the appeals process, if needed taking place on August 12. FUFA plans to release the final list of licensed clubs on August 15, with the full UPL fixture list set to be published on August 26.
As the new season draws near, several key competitions will mark the buildup: the registration window closes on September 1, the Super 8 tournament runs from September 7 to 17, and the prestigious FUFA Super Cup will be contested on September 21. The much-anticipated UPL season will then officially kick off on September 26.
A noteworthy development this season is the transition to a digital licensing platform, aimed at streamlining processes and reinforcing transparency.
FUFA has urged all clubs to adhere strictly to the outlined timelines and requirements to ensure a seamless licensing experience.
With this comprehensive action plan, FUFA signals its firm commitment to raising the bar for club football in Uganda—both on and off the pitch.