The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has announced the ratification of important amendments to the Club Ownership and Registration Regulations following the 33rd FUFA Executive Committee meeting, held on March 24, 2025, at FUFA House in Mengo. These amendments, which affect articles 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 of the regulations, are effective immediately and apply to all clubs and football stakeholders across Uganda.
The newly amended regulations focus on improving governance, transparency, and accountability of club ownership within the FUFA framework. One of the key changes is the FUFA Certificate of Club Ownership, which now serves several important functions. It confirms official ownership and club structure, ensures that clubs operate within FUFA’s governance framework, and facilitates the resolution of ownership disputes while protecting the interests of club owners. Clubs are required to retain the certificate as part of their official records, and any loss or change of ownership must be reported to FUFA immediately. Additionally, FUFA will periodically update the list of club owners to maintain transparency.
Clubs that fail to adhere to the new regulations face serious consequences. Non-compliance can result in the non-approval of ownership transfers, denial of club recognition by FUFA, suspension from FUFA competitions, and potential financial penalties or other administrative sanctions. This is aimed at ensuring strict compliance and safeguarding the integrity of football governance in Uganda.
The regulations also outline the procedures for changing club ownership. Any change in ownership must follow FUFA’s prescribed processes, which require outgoing owners to formally transfer ownership documents to the new owners, who must then submit updated details to FUFA for approval. Any ownership change that does not follow these procedures may lead to sanctions, including suspension from FUFA competitions. The amended rules also emphasize the importance of keeping ownership records up to date, particularly for clubs operating as companies or legal entities.
To promote greater transparency, FUFA will periodically publish and update the list of club owners. This move is designed to ensure accountability and provide the public with a clear record of ownership across all clubs in Uganda. FUFA also reserves the right to audit clubs at any time to ensure compliance with ownership and registration requirements. Clubs will be prohibited from participating in FUFA-organized or FUFA-authorized competitions unless they possess valid ownership documentation. Moreover, the regulations stress that third-party influence on club ownership is strictly prohibited under both FIFA and FUFA rules.
These amendments are a significant step towards strengthening the integrity of club ownership and management in Ugandan football. With clear procedures for club ownership transfers, updated ownership records, and penalties for non-compliance, FUFA is laying a solid foundation for transparent and efficient governance. The changes reflect FUFA’s commitment to promoting good governance, fair play, and the long-term sustainability of football in Uganda.
For further details, the updated Club Ownership and Registration Regulations 2025 are available on FUFA’s official website.
