The final day of the 2025/26 FUFA Big League season brought joy for Blacks Power and Kataka, but heartbreak for several former Uganda Premier League sides.
Blacks Power were crowned champions after a goalless draw against Onduparaka at Ababet GreenLight Stadium in Lira. The point was enough to keep them top of the table with 55 points, two ahead of Ntugasaze, who beat Kiyinda Boys 3-0 on the final day.
The title caps a remarkable season for Blacks Power, who will return to the Uganda Premier League as champions. Their crowning ceremony is scheduled for Sunday in Lira.
While Blacks Power celebrated the title, Kataka finally achieved a dream that had eluded them for years.
The Mbale-based side secured promotion with a 2-0 victory over Soltilo Bright Stars at the Coffee Grounds in Bugolobi. Ali Ssentamu gave Kataka the lead from the penalty spot after Isaac Owiny was brought down in the area, before Usama Khayemba sealed the win in the 86th minute.
The victory ended nearly a decade of frustration for Kataka, who have been playing in the second tier since the 2017/18 season.
Their closest brush with promotion came in 2022 when they went into the final day top of the table but lost to Kyetume and missed out. This time, there was no late disappointment.
Under coach Godfrey Toldo, Kataka recovered from an inconsistent start to finish strongly and book their place among next season’s top-flight clubs.
They join champions Blacks Power, Kigezi HomeBoyz and Ntugasaze as the four teams promoted to the Uganda Premier League.
Kigezi HomeBoyz finished third despite suffering a 1-0 home defeat to CATDA in Kabale, ending the season with 51 points.
Elsewhere, Paidha Black Angels edged Nebbi Central 1-0 in the West Nile derby, Iganga United thrashed Mbale Heroes 6-2 at Mbale City Stadium, while Kaaro Karungi defeated Bunyaruguru United 1-0 away from home.
The celebrations at the top contrasted sharply with the disappointment at the bottom.
Former Uganda Premier League sides Soltilo Bright Stars, Wakiso Giants and Mbale Heroes were relegated to the regional leagues after failing to survive the drop. Nebbi Central also suffered the same fate.
For Bright Stars, relegation was confirmed by the defeat that sent Kataka up, bringing an end to their stay in the FUFA Big League and leaving them with a long road back to national football.
