Vipers SC president Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa has launched a scathing attack on the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA), accusing the country’s football governing body of disregarding clubs and operating unprofessionally in its dealings with them.
Speaking during the club’s Annual General Meeting on Friday, Mulindwa expressed frustration over FUFA’s decision to appoint Vipers assistant coach Fred Muhumuza to the Uganda Cranes technical bench without first consulting the club.
Muhumuza was recently named assistant coach of the senior national team under head coach Paul Put, replacing Sam Ssimbwa.
Club President, Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa, his Executive, FUFA officials and members of the General Assembly pose for a group photo after the 2025/26 AGM at St Maryโs Stadium, Kitende. โ๐ฟ#VipersAGM2025 || #VenomsUpdates || pic.twitter.com/5MP8ELSsci
โ ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ (@VipersSC) May 29, 2026
However, Mulindwa believes the manner in which the move was handled demonstrated a lack of respect toward Vipers and other clubs:
“FUFA should respect clubs. FUFA will come for your coach without informing you as a club and take them to the national team, for example, Mr. Muhumuza Fred. We were preparing for Cecafa Kagame Club Championship and the CAF Champions League, but they took our coach without informing us. It also happened with the Late Fred Kajoba. We just donโt want to fight, but we shall take you on. Let it stop, now. FUFA should stop doing things in an amateur way. Iโm saying this now; let it stop now, or we shall take you to court.”
The outspoken football administrator also revisited the controversy surrounding FUFA’s proposed league format changes at the beginning of the recently concluded campaign. Mulindwa, one of the leading figures opposing the reforms, argued that the uncertainty and disputes surrounding the issue negatively affected clubs and disrupted preparations for the season.
According to him, Vipers had to divert considerable attention and resources toward resisting the proposed changes, something he believes ultimately impacted the club’s performances, particularly in continental competitions:
“We started the season on a sad note with the new format chaos. But our fans, the people who love football stood with us, despite intimidations.”
“During the new format drama, we sacrificed a lot, even if it meant foregoing the club. Itโs our fans and the football well-wishers that always encouraged us to keep fighting. Our minds were diverted at the start of the season with the new format drama. And, that affected us even on the continent.”
Despite the off-field battles, Vipers enjoyed a successful domestic campaign, reclaiming the Uganda Premier League crown after finishing at the summit with 67 points. Their pursuit of a domestic double, however, ended in disappointment after Kitara knocked them out of the Stanbic Uganda Cup on the away-goals rule.
โFUFA should respect clubs. They take your coach without notice. I only heard about Fred Muhumuza going to CHAN on radio. FUFA should stop doing things in an amateur way. Let it stop now, or we shall take you to court,โ ~ Club President, Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa.#VipersAGM2025 ||โฆ pic.twitter.com/nLKywgdEu1
โ ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ (@VipersSC) May 29, 2026
For Mulindwa, the league triumph carried deeper significance than previous successes because of the obstacles the club encountered throughout the season.
“This trophy meant a lot to us and to me, because of the way the season started and challenges we faced. I had taken years without dancing, but this time you saw me pull off some moves during the celebrations,” he stated.
The title marked Vipers’ eighth Uganda Premier League championship, adding to previous successes in 2009/10, 2014/15, 2017/18, 2019/20, 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25. The Venoms have also lifted the Stanbic Uganda Cup four times, winning the competition in 2015/16, 2019/20, 2022/23 and 2024/25.
