Kampala, Uganda: Uganda’s football governing body, FUFA (Federation of Uganda Football Associations), is under fire from fans and sports analysts amid public outrage over the prize money awarded to Vipers SC, winners of the 2024/25 StarTimes Uganda Premier League.
Vipers, who lifted their seventh league title on Saturday, walked away with only UGX 60 million despite navigating a grueling 30-match season. The amount, widely seen as a poor return on investment for top-flight football, has reignited longstanding concerns about financial neglect in Ugandan football.
According to FUFA’s official disbursement structure, second-placed NEC FC will receive UGX 40 million, third-placed SC Villa will take UGX 30 million, figures which continue to dwindle until the bottom-placed team, Mbale Heroes, with just UGX 500,000 cash prize. Soltilo Bright Stars, who finished second from last, will receive UGX 700,000.
Stakeholders of the game have since slammed the federation’s distribution model as “insulting” and “unsustainable,” especially when contrasted with regional counterparts.
In Tanzania, for example, the top-tier champion bags a prize equivalent to UGX 948 million, over 15 times what Uganda’s winner earns, despite both leagues having 16 teams.
“This is not just about the money, it’s about the value FUFA attaches to club football,” said a club official who preferred anonymity. “You cannot expect quality football, infrastructure development, and youth investment if clubs are starving.”
Some club executives DailyExpress spoke to on the final matchday, argue that FUFA’s expenditure priorities are skewed, with more funds allegedly channeled into administrative and ceremonial activities rather than direct support to clubs that drive the league’s appeal and competitiveness.
An official attached to Vipers’ technical bench avoided direct criticism during his post-match address but emphasized that “football has evolved beyond trophies, it’s also about what sustains clubs beyond matchday.”
The backlash has reignited public criticism across football fans in Uganda, who have since taken to social media to express disappointment and demand structural reforms in the UPL sponsorship and prize model.
While FUFA President Hon. Moses Magogo presided over the unveiling of the new “Margherita” league trophy at St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende, the celebratory mood was punctuated by murmurs from fans who felt the federation had prioritized symbolism over substance.
The Federation was yet to respond officially to the ongoing backlash in the football sector, particularly the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative anews platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp for realtime updates.
