FUFA introduces key amendments to Men’s and Women’s Club Licensing Regulations for 2025/26 Season

By Emmanuel Sekago

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has announced significant amendments to the Club Licensing Regulations for both men’s and women’s leagues, effective from the 2025/26 football season. These changes are aligned with FUFA’s commitment to its Club Licensing System and Technical Master Plan, aimed at improving professionalism, technical standards, and governance across Ugandan football.

To raise the technical capacity of teams, Uganda Premier League (UPL) clubs must appoint Head Coaches with a minimum of a CAF A Coaching Diploma, FUFA Big League (FBL) clubs will require Head Coaches to possess at least a CAF B Coaching Diploma and FUFA Women Super League (FWSL) clubs must also appoint Head Coaches with a CAF B Coaching Diploma or higher.

These requirements follow a series of capacity-building programmes conducted by FUFA to strengthen the coaching ecosystem in Uganda.

In a push for improved governance, UPL clubs are now required to employ Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) with at least a FAMACO III certificate and CEOs of FWSL and FBL clubs must hold a minimum FAMACO II certificate.

This move aims to ensure clubs are led by professionally trained personnel capable of managing operations efficiently and in line with modern football standards.

In a major step towards inclusive football development, All UPL clubs must operate a women’s football team, registered and competing in either the FUFA Women Super League or the FUFA Women Elite League and Clubs already managing women’s teams must guarantee their active participation in official FUFA competitions.

Additionally, per FUFA Circular No. 1189, starting with the 2025/26 season, all FWSL clubs must be affiliated with an active men’s football club from either the UPL, FBL, or Regional League.

These reforms mark a pivotal moment for Ugandan football as FUFA intensifies efforts to raise the bar in technical expertise, administrative standards, and gender inclusivity. Clubs are encouraged to begin early preparations to comply with the new regulations ahead of the 2025/26 season.