Ugandan football giants SC Villa have confirmed they will feature in the upcoming 2025/26 Uganda Premier League season — but with a firm declaration that they are playing under protest.
In a strongly worded communication to FUFA, Villa president Hajji Omar Mandela Ahmed blasted the federation’s newly introduced league format and revenue-sharing model, branding them as “exploitative and dismissive of the views of stakeholders.”
The Jogoos did not hold back in their criticism of FUFA boss Moses Magogo either, accusing him of consistently ignoring the concerns of clubs and presiding over a system lacking transparency both financially and administratively. According to the club, the situation is “unacceptable.”
Despite their fierce objections, Villa insists they will still take to the pitch this season. The club says its decision is driven by a responsibility to safeguard the efforts of its players and technical staff, who have already invested heavily in preseason preparations.
Villa had earlier flagged major reservations about FUFA’s restructuring, arguing that any new format should first have been tested in the lower divisions and thoroughly debated by all Premier League stakeholders before being imposed.
The stand-off comes in sharp contrast to rivals Vipers SC, who have taken an even harder line by boycotting the competition outright until their grievances are addressed.
