Fufa Dismisses Vipers’ Claims Over Prize Money, League Reforms Stir Controversy
By Agookya Sports | 07 October 2025
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has refuted claims by Vipers SC president Lawrence Mulindwa that the club has not received prize money for winning both the 2024/25 Uganda Premier League and Uganda Cup titles.
In a statement posted on the federation’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, Fufa said all prize money for Uganda Premier League (UPL) clubs from the 2024/25 season has already been disbursed. The federation added that the only outstanding payments are for the Uganda Cup, which are still pending from the competition’s sponsors.
“All prize money to UPL clubs for the 2024/25 season has been disbursed. The only pending payment is for the Uganda Cup, awaiting remittance from the sponsors,” Fufa said.
The statement did not address claims regarding air tickets Vipers said it is owed for continental competitions. FUFA noted that air tickets for clubs participating in CAF competitions are either paid upfront or reimbursed after engagements.
However, Mulindwa maintains that Vipers have not yet received all their dues and has criticized Fufa for failing to meet its financial obligations. His frustration extends to the federation’s new league reforms, set to take effect in the 2025/26 season, which he described as poorly planned and unsuited to the current football structure.
The proposed reforms introduce a three-round league format: the first round will feature single-leg fixtures among all 16 clubs, after which teams split into two groups — the top eight and bottom eight — who will then play home-and-away matches. Fufa argues the new system will make the league “faster, fiercer, and fairer.”
The reforms have, however, faced criticism from several football stakeholders, including Mujib Kasule (Proline FC), Hajj Omar Mandela (SC Villa), and former Uganda Cranes players Dan Ntale and Mike Mutyaba. Sports analyst Brian Tuka also described the plan as “unrealistic,” urging Fufa to allow more time for alignment with the country’s football development structures.
The dispute escalated over the weekend when Vipers SC boycotted their double-header fixture against Kitara on Saturday, 4 October, at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole. The no-show is widely viewed as a protest against Fufa’s reforms and has intensified tensions between the federation and some of Uganda’s top clubs.
According to Fufa Competition Rules, failing to honour a fixture can result in fines, forfeiture of points, or additional administrative sanctions. The Fufa Competitions Committee is expected to deliberate on Vipers’ actions this week.
