All 18 StarTimes Uganda Premier League clubs were taken through the key amendments in the FUFA Competitions Rules 2026 during the recent UPL Media Days ahead of the new season.
The sessions, run by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), were aimed at equipping club administrators, technical benches, media and other stakeholders with knowledge of the updated regulations.
The argument doing the rounds in Kampala is how strictly FUFA will police the new licensing and venue rules now that the league is live again.
What changed in the FUFA Competitions Rules 2026?
Under Rule 33 on stadiums and match facilities, no venue shall host a FUFA competition match unless approved by FUFA, and any club wishing to change its designated ground must write to FUFA at least 72 hours before kick-off.
Requests submitted inside that window will only be considered in exceptional circumstances cleared by the Technical Operations Committee (TOC).
Clauses 23 to 27, 29 and 37 to 49 deal with youth player registration, contracted but unregistered players, match day lists and shirt numbers, including the use of foreign and youth players on match day.
What are the new coaching requirements?
First Division League (men) clubs must now have a head coach and assistant coach, each holding at least a CAF A Licence and a Professional Coaching Licence.
Rule 41 separately lays out the pre-match and post-match media protocols clubs must follow this season.
Source: FUFA
