Uganda’s football scene is at a critical juncture. The country recently celebrated over a century of Association Football, with the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) marking its centenary in 2024. However, despite this rich history, a persistent issue continues to plague the sport: the lack of standardized stadiums.
As the 2025-2026 Ugandan football season approaches, clubs across the Uganda Premier League and the second-tier FUFA Big League are struggling to find suitable venues to host their matches. This ongoing challenge was highlighted by recent FUFA club licensing inspections, which revealed a significant number of stadiums that fail to meet the required standards.
Key Findings from the Stadium Inspections
The inspections have been a wake-up call for many clubs. Five Premier League clubs, including all three of the newly promoted teams, had their home grounds rejected. These include:
- Police FC (Kiira Police Playground)
- Mbarara City FC (Kakyeka Stadium)
- Kitara FC (Royals Park, Butema)
- Calvary FC (Midigo Primary School Ground)
- Entebbe UPPC FC (Entebbe Fisheries Ground)
The problem isn’t limited to the top flight. An additional eight FUFA Big League clubs also failed the initial inspection, missing the August 21st deadline. Notable stadiums that were deemed below standard include:
- Ebenezer University Playground (for Blacks Power)
- Bugoloobi Coffee Grounds (for CATDA FC)
- Iganga Ssaza Grounds (for Iganga United)
- Bar Okoro Stadium (for Paidha Black Angels)
- Green Light Stadium (for Onduparaka)
- Luo Grounds (for Nebbi Central FC)
With a second inspection scheduled between August 24th and 30th, the future remains uncertain for many teams. Karo Karungi FC and Bunyaruguru United are also in a difficult position, as their stadiums—Kyamate Playgrounds and Kyambura Playgrounds, respectively—have been found ineligible, and their working licenses are now pending an appeal.
The Broader Challenge for Ugandan Football
This issue with stadium standards underscores a larger problem. While Uganda is currently co-hosting the African Nations Championship (CHAN), the country only has one usable stadium for the tournament. This brings into question its readiness for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027, which it is also set to co-host.
Although the government has initiated projects to build new sports complexes, their accessibility and affordability for clubs remain a major concern. Mandela National Stadium Namboole, the country’s only recognized facility, is often out of reach for most clubs due to high costs, leaving many without a viable option.
