Vipers Sports Club has drawn a hard line against the Uganda Premier League’s recently unveiled competition model, declaring that it will not participate under the arrangement. The club argues that its objections have been ignored and its credibility undermined.
In a communication dated October 2, 2025, club president Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa formally notified the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) and the Uganda Premier League Secretariat that Vipers would withdraw from league fixtures starting with their highly anticipated clash against Kitara FC at Namboole Stadium on Saturday, October 4, 2025.
The decision follows months of simmering tensions. Vipers maintains that FUFA disregarded issues raised in multiple letters, dated August 23, September 23, and September 29, and during sit-down meetings. Instead of solutions, the club accuses the federation of brushing aside its grievances.
White smoke or black smoke??? pic.twitter.com/J7V8y0Ydkn
— 𝐕𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 (@VipersSC) October 2, 2025
According to the statement, “concerns were met with ridicule, blackmail, and ostracization through mainstream and social media.”
The missive from Dr. Mulindwa did not mince words, noting: “We do not only find this unethical and disrespectful but also a total disregard of what we go through as a privately owned football club to raise football to the level we have done and still do.”
At the heart of the stand-off is FUFA’s decision to roll out the restructured league format this season. Vipers argues that the changes are rushed and dangerous for the stability of clubs. The club insists the reforms are “not timely and appropriate” and even warned that the approach “posed an existential threat to Vipers SC as a football entity.”
Dr. Mulindwa emphasized that Vipers would pursue every legitimate pathway to resist the reforms: “Vipers SC will use all legal and football-governing avenues to seek justice and protect its rights as a full member of FUFA.”
ℹ️ Club statement on Double header#VenomsUpdates || #OneTeamOneDream || https://t.co/JxkkuuE1bW
— 𝐕𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 (@VipersSC) October 2, 2025
The protest letter was widely circulated, with copies dispatched to the Minister of Education and Sports, the National Council for Sports, league management, sponsors, partners, and supporters, signalling that the dispute may escalate beyond football circles into political and legal domains.
The stand-off now casts uncertainty over the start of the season, with the league’s credibility hanging in the balance and the football fraternity watching closely to see whether FUFA will bend or hold firm.
