The 1st Division League (StarTimes Uganda Premier League) that consists of sixteen teams shall be played over three rounds. In Round One, all clubs will compete in a one-leg league format with home and away matches determined by a draw. At the conclusion of this round, the top eight ranked sides will qualify for Group 1, while the bottom eight will form Group 2 in Round 2. Both groups will then play on a full home and away basis. From Group 1, the top six teams will progress to Group 3 in Round 3, while the bottom two will complete the season in positions seven and eight. From Group 2, the bottom six will proceed to Group 4 in Round 3, while the top two will end the campaign in positions nine and ten.
In Round 3, the teams in Groups 3 and 4 will play a one-leg league format, with fixtures reversed against Round 1 to ensure parity. The final rankings in Group 3 will determine positions one to six, with the top team declared league champions. The rankings in Group 4 will determine positions 11 downwards. At the end of the season, teams finishing in positions 11 to 13 will retain eligibility for the following campaign, while the team finishing 14th will contest a two-legged play-off against the 3rd placed team in the 2nd Division League. The winner of this fixture will qualify for the next 1st Division season, while the loser will be placed in the 2nd Division. The sides finishing 15th and 16th will be relegated directly.
New player registration rules will also apply, with only footballers holding contracts of at least two years’ duration eligible for licensing, save for those whose thirty-first birthday falls during the season. All other existing regulations remain in place.
In addition, each club will be obliged to submit both sporting and business data after every fixture. Sporting data, to be submitted within 48 hours on Form F601. The information recorded using Catapult Technology too. While business data, submitted on Form F605, must cover attendances and revenues. Referees will enforce the use of monitoring technology. Failure to comply will attract corrective measures.
Fixtures shall be played as either single-header or double-header events. Double-headers will consist of two league matches staged at the same venue with two to three hours between kick-off times. The Uganda Premier League retains authority to determine which matches are staged as single or double-headers, and retains the power to amend fixtures within fourteen days.
Financially, FUFA will provide five hundred million Uganda shillings as prize monies, to be distributed across all rounds and positions, with a further two million shillings allocated to the winner of the relegation and promotion play-off. Gate collections will be regulated, with all gross takings declared and approved operations costs deducted before revenues are shared. For single-header fixtures, the home team will retain the majority share, while UPL, FUFA and the match winner each receive a small percentage. For double-header fixtures, revenues will be shared across both home and away teams, with FUFA and UPL also receiving their allocations. In matches ending in a draw, the percentage otherwise allocated to the winner will revert to the home team.
These reforms are designed to improve the structure and competitiveness of the league, enhance transparency in club operations, and ensure sustainable sporting and business practices for the future of Ugandan football.
