Federation of Uganda Football Association has issued communication contained in Circular No. 1107 dated 24th March 2020 to all football stakeholders with decisions taken about proposed reforms on FUFA Competitions during the 22nd FUFA Exco meeting held on 13th March 2020 at the Executive House-FUFA Complex in Mengo. The reforms are expected to be effective with the 2020/2021 season.
According to the Circular the reforms are proposed to being made to make FUFA’s dream of becoming the number one footballing Nation on and kff pitch come true.
“In a bid to achieve FUFA’s Vision ‘To be the number one football nation in Africa on and off the field’ with a Mission ‘To develop promote and protect football for all’ the FUFA Executive Committee received proposals to reform Professional Club Football in Uganda, hereby presented for any ideas for implementation” Reads the Circular.
Consequently, the 22nd FUFA Executive Committee approved wide scale consultations with First Division Clubs, Second Division Clubs, Sponsors, UPL Management, FUFA Regional Football Associations, and the General Public/Football fraternity on the proposals for the reform of professional club football in Uganda.
The First Division, Second Division, the UPL U20 Reserve Leagues are to be under the Professional League Board and Professional League Secretariat replacing the current UPL Board and UPL Secretariat respectively.
Every First Division club shall be compelled to have an U20 team to compete in a league played over two rounds.
A player with a first division license may play in the reserve league and player with a reserve league license may play in the first division league.
There shall be an established FUFA Juniors’ Leagues in each of the 8 FUFA regions in the country under the supervision of the UYFA and the respective FRAs.
The FJL at every FRA shall consist of 12 teams. The FRA may manage more than one FJL of 12 teams each. For example Eastern RFA may have FJL-Jinja and FJL-Mbale the winner being determined under an agreed format. The UPL club U17 team may compete in the respective FRA FJL within their locality or as appropriate.
FUFA wishes to invite ideas from our stakeholders or from anyone “To Whom It May Concern” via rules@fufa.co.ug on the proposals as enumerated in this circular. These ideas and views shall be compiled and shall be debated on when FUFA organises the review workshop before the kick-off of the 2020/2021 season.
WHAT DID FUFA PROPOSE TO CHANGE?.
1. 1st, 2nd division and UPL-U20 reserve league to be under a professional league board and professional league secretariat replacing the current UPL board and secretariat respectively.
2. 1st Division reforms.
– Clubs to be reduced from 16 teams which currently compete in the league to 12 teams starting 2021/22 season.
– Three rounds to be played showing an increment of one from the current two rounds.
– 6 clubs to relegated by the end of 2020/21 and 2 starting 2021/22 season. Currently 3 teams are relegated at the end of the season.
– 2 teams to get promoted from second division starting 2021/22.
– Introduction of UPL-U20 reserve league. 12 teams will be participating.
3. Second Division.
– 16 teams to compete in the league by start of 2020/21. Currently 18 teams participate in the league.
– 6 teams to be relegated in 2020/21 and then 4 will face the knife in 2021/22. Currently 4 teams get relegated at the end of the season.
– 2 teans to gain promotion from 3rd division in 2020/21 and 4 starting 2021/22.