Effective Next Season, FUFA Restructures Leagues to Enhance Competition and Professionalism Nationwide
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has announced a sweeping restructuring of the national football league system, introducing a new six-division format that is set to take effect from the next season.
Under the new system, football across Uganda will be organized into the following hierarchical structure:
1st Division – Uganda Premier League (UPL)
2nd Division – FUFA Big League
3rd Division – Regional League (restructured and merged)
4th Division – Provincial League
5th Division – Zonal Mini League
6th Division – Community/Sub-county Level
Key Changes
While the Uganda Premier League and FUFA Big League will remain unchanged, the biggest shift lies in the reorganization of the 3rd Division. FUFA has opted to merge existing zones within regions to form larger, more competitive Regional Leagues.
In the West Nile Region, for example, the previously separate Nile and Nyagak zones will be combined into a single 3rd Division league. This new league will feature at least 12 teams—six from each zone—while clubs that don’t make the cut will be relegated to the newly introduced 4th Division (Provincial League).
Implications for Clubs
The restructuring is expected to bring both opportunities and challenges. With wider regional coverage, clubs will face increased travel demands, with scenarios such as a Pakwach-based team traveling to Yumbe or Adjumani now becoming the norm.
FUFA believes the new system will encourage higher levels of competition, better club management, and enhanced professionalism. However, it also means only well-prepared and adequately financed teams will be able to keep up.
> “This new structure is not just a change in names or numbers. It’s about building a more competitive, organized, and professional football ecosystem from the grassroots up,” a FUFA spokesperson said.
Call to Action
Clubs, stakeholders, and fans are now being urged to embrace the change and prepare for the higher demands of the new system. From improved logistics to stronger financial planning, clubs will need to adapt quickly to maintain relevance and compete effectively.
> “For the love of the game, we must adapt. It’s time to tighten our seat belts, improve club organization, embrace professionalism, and support our teams more than ever before,” reads a FUFA statement.
As the football community prepares for this transition, FUFA maintains that the ultimate goal is to elevate the quality of the game in Uganda and to lay a stronger foundation for talent development nationwide.
