Soroti University sports tutor Ibrahim Teko has spoken out for the first time since the institution was suspended from the ongoing University Football League (UFL), admitting to registration mistakes while maintaining that the affected players were genuine students.
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Speaking after the UFL Appeals Committee upheld a one season suspension, Teko acknowledged procedural errors but welcomed a decision that allows the university to return next season.
“Those boys are our students, but they were not registered at the time,” Teko said.
“We later registered them with the Association of Uganda University Sports in December.”
Soroti University was sanctioned after the UFL Disciplinary Committee found that the team had fielded unregistered players, a clear breach of competition regulations.
Following investigations, the committee ruled against the university and communicated the decision through the UFL Secretariat.
The university appealed, arguing that the punishment was too harsh. However, the Appeals Committee upheld the ruling, confirming Soroti’s suspension for the remainder of the season.
Teko said the university admitted its mistake during the hearings and asked for leniency.
“We asked them not to be too harsh and to give us a fair ruling,” he explained.
“They listened and suspended us for only this year. Next season, we shall be back.”
The suspension brings an abrupt end to Soroti University’s campaign, denying players valuable match experience and exposing gaps in administrative oversight.
Still, the limited ban offers a chance to reset, tighten processes and return stronger.
The case also serves as a warning to other institutions.
The UFL’s stance reinforces the importance of strict compliance with registration rules as the league continues to safeguard integrity and fair competition.
