Kampala, Uganda: The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has approved only seven stadiums to host matches in the 2026/27 Uganda Premier League season after inspections found that several other venues failed to meet the required club licensing standards.
The assessment, conducted by the FUFA Club Licensing Committee, forms part of the mandatory licensing process that evaluates clubs’ infrastructure, governance and business operations before they are cleared to participate in the top-flight league.
The stadiums approved for the new season are St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, Hamz Stadium, Mutesa II Stadium, Kiira Police Arena, Lugazi Stadium, the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru and Rwamwanja Stadium.
Several clubs will now have to find alternative venues after their home grounds failed the inspection.
Among the affected are KCCA FC and NEC FC, whose shared home ground, MTN Omondi Stadium, did not satisfy the licensing requirements.
According to the inspection report, the stadium’s artificial turf has deteriorated significantly, particularly around the goalmouths, posing a safety risk to players. Inspectors also found that the floodlights fell below the required illumination standards, while the technical benches did not meet the prescribed specifications.
Other venues that failed to secure approval include Royals Park Butema (Kitara FC), Luzira Prisons Ground (Maroons FC), Bombo Barracks Ground (UPDF FC), Bugonga Fisheries Ground (Entebbe UPPC FC), Mbale Municipal Stadium (Kataka FC), Ebenezer University Ground (Blacks Power FC) and Kigezi Al-Madina Ground (Kigezi HomeBoyz FC).
FUFA identified a range of shortcomings across the rejected venues, including poor playing surfaces, inadequate drainage systems, substandard dressing rooms, absence of medical rooms, poor sanitation facilities, lack of media working areas and insufficient perimeter fencing.
The report leaves several clubs racing against time to either upgrade their facilities or secure approved alternative home grounds before the 2026/27 Uganda Premier League season gets underway.
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