KCCA FC has come under fire after claims surfaced that the club brought in Kampala Capital City Authority workers to fill the stands during their goalless draw with Lugazi FC at the MTN Omondi Stadium on Thursday.
The controversy erupted as a section of the club’s traditional fan base continues to boycott matches in protest against what they describe as poor league administration and an unpopular competition format.
Eyewitnesses reported that dozens of people seen entering the stadium shortly before kick-off were KCCA employees, among them street cleaners, who were ushered in free of charge and kitted out in the club’s colours.
A circulating online statement, purportedly from the club, attempted to justify the move:
“Dear fans, just for clarity, KCCA staff from various divisions reached out to the football club with interest to watch our home matches and as a club we felt it was right to hand them an opportunity to watch our home matches especially with the current environment the game is in. So yes, we will have some KCCA staff at the matches.”
The boycott has been visible since the early weeks of the Uganda Premier League season. During Matchday two, when KCCA defeated SC Villa at Namboole in a double-header fixture, large sections of the stands remained empty, a stark contrast to the club’s usual vibrant following.
Tough night, but a point eanred. +1. #KCCAFC #StarTimesUPL pic.twitter.com/qnTZuyL4L6
— KCCA FC (@KCCAFC) October 16, 2025
Following Thursday’s stalemate, KCCA FC’s social media team posted pictures of enthusiastic supporters at Lugogo, thanking them for turning up. The post, however, quickly sparked outrage.
Comments flooded in accusing the club of manufacturing crowd scenes and masking the reality of fan discontent.
“You people, our chairman said we just play because we have nothing to do now. Who are you impressing by fetching fans to fill up the place for free?”
“You paid them. How are you going to compound that when UPL and its format come to collect its percentage?”
“Don’t portray an image as if the real fans were there. Be cautious about the message you’re sending to those who truly love and pay for the games.”
Some supporters stressed that the boycott was never meant to hurt the club, but rather to push for change in how the domestic league is run.
“The fans are not against you, they are fighting for you,” one user wrote.
As the stand-off between management and sections of the fan base deepens, KCCA FC finds itself caught between maintaining appearances and addressing the underlying frustrations that threaten to alienate its loyal supporters.
