FUFA TO PILOT NEW COMPETITION STRUCTURE IN KAMPALA REGIONAL LEAGUE
FUFA will pilot its new three-round league format in the 2025/26 Kampala Regional League after abandoning it in the top flight. The 18 clubs will receive over UGX 800m in funding, with the champion earning UGX 20m.
Hon Magogo Moses Hassim - COURTESY/PHOTO
As a pilot study for the 2025–2026 season, FUFA has confirmed that the Kampala Regional League (Third division) will test the new League model.
It should be mentioned that the Uganda Premier League was the first to use the suggested league, which is played over three rounds, at the beginning of the season.
However, fans who opted to skip games put up a strong fight against the League. Vipers SC refused to accept the suggested format, stuck to their guns, and really forfeited the match against Kitara FC at Namboole, while the other 15 clubs chose to play.
FUFA decided on Saturday to go back to the previous two-round home-and-away format. The decision to transfer some of the modifications to the Regional League was made by the FUFA Executive Committee three days later.
The 18 Kampala Regional Football Association 3rd Division Clubs have consented to use the split league structure for the 2025–06 season, according to the FUFA Executive Committee. More than 800 million Ugandan shillings will be provided by FUFA to cover the Kampala Regional League's 18 teams' operational expenses, referees, locker-room incentives, prize money, and man-of-the-match awards. Up to 20 million Ugandan shillings will be awarded to the league champion. reads a FUFA statement.
Each of the 18 teams participating in the Kampala Regional League will play 17 games in the first round. Based on their performance in the first round, the teams will then be divided into two groups of nine. At this point, home and away games will be played.
The top six players from the teams that placed in the top nine will advance to the championship round. Together with the top three teams from the bottom group of nine, the three remaining teams will compete for a spot. Following that, the six teams in the lowest group will battle to avoid relegation.
Depending on who hosted in the first round, the host team will be chosen for the one-leg third round.
Referee allowances will be paid by FUFA; in rounds one and two, each game will cost UGX 100,000, and in the third round, UGX 200,000.
A cash prize of UGX 50,000 in round one, UGX 100,000 in round two, and UGX 200,000 in round three will be awarded to the Man of the Match winner.
Twenty match balls will be given to each club. It should be mentioned that the Regional League clubs nationwide received five balls on Monday.
Up to 50 games, including doubleheader matches, will also be broadcast on FUFA TV from important venues such as Kyambogo University, Mutesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku, MTN-Omondi Lugogo, Yes Centre, Nsambya, Kira Road Police Arena, and FUFA Kadiba Stadium.
The club executives who met with FUFA on Tuesday were also informed that a total of UGX 130 million in prize money was up for grabs, with the winners potentially earning up to UGX 20,000,000.
The 18 Kampala Regional League clubs will also receive UGX 8 million as part of the preparations, and players will begin receiving locker-room incentives in round two, which will increase to UGX 20,000 for each victory and UGX 50,000 in round three.
UGANDA CUBS’ SPIRITED SHOW ENDS IN NARROW 3–2 PARAGUAY LOSS
The Uganda Cubs (U17) fell 3-2 to Paraguay in a thrilling Dubai friendly. Despite goals from James Bogere & Abubakali Walusimbi, a defensive error cost them. Coach Ssenyondo remains upbeat ahead of their historic 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup.
Paraguay Edge Uganda Cubs 3–2 in Dubai - COURTESY/PHOTO
In Tuesday night's final international friendly match of the Dubai Youth Challenge Cup, the Uganda Cubs, Uganda's U17 national team, put up another valiant display but lost to Paraguay, a South American squad, 3–2.
The game was the final test for the Cubs before their historic 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup debut in Qatar. Once more, Brian Ssenyondo's charges displayed attacking promise, but defensive lapses undid their progress.
James Bogere, the young Ugandans' danger man, gave them the lead in the 24th minute. Bogere had previously scored against Venezuela and was continuing his excellent scoring record.
But Paraguay fought back, as Alan Ledesma equalised in the 40th minute from the penalty spot.
Almada Derlis gave the South Americans the lead with a well-executed goal four minutes later, guaranteeing Paraguay had a 2-1 lead at halftime.
After the half, Uganda returned with renewed vigour, applying pressure to Paraguay before Abubakali Walusimbi levelled the score in the 55th minute.
Despite the comeback, De Cavalho Mouricio took advantage of a defensive blunder to slide in the game-winning goal in the 71st minute, giving Paraguay the lead again.
After an encouraging 1-1 draw with Venezuela in their opening match, Uganda lost to Panama 2-1, marking their second loss in Dubai.
Following the match, head coach Brian Ssenyondo remained upbeat ahead of the World Cup and thanked his troops for the experience they received throughout the camp.
"I am grateful that this camp has taken place, and I would like to thank the Federation for this initiative as it has provided us with a realistic picture of what the World Cup will be like," Ssenyondo stated.
It means a lot because the teams we have faced are from the same area as our group rivals, Canada and Chile. The good news is that we have scored first in each of the three games, demonstrating our offensive ability. We need to get better at game management and defence. I think everything will be set up by the time we play our first game in Qatar.
At the forthcoming FIFA U17 World Cup, Uganda is grouped with Canada, Chile, and France in Group K. They will play their first match against Canada on November 5.
Even though the Cubs have lost all of their friendlies in Dubai, their performances have taught them important lessons and given them more self-assurance before their first appearance on the international scene.
LADY DOLPHINS TAKE CHARGE IN NBL FINALS, BEAT JAGUARS 2-1
JKL Lady Dolphins take a 2-1 NBL Finals lead after a dominant 77-59 win over JT Lady Jaguars. A strong fourth-quarter performance sealed the victory for the defending champions.
Flavia Oketcho rewinding the days, contributing 13 points while sinking 4 of 5 three-point field goals - COURTESY/PHOTO
The JT Lady Jaguars fell apart in the fourth quarter, giving the JKL Lady Dolphins a 2-1 lead in the National Basketball League playoffs.
At the Lugogo Indoor Arena on Tuesday, the JKL Lady Dolphins defeated the JT Lady Jaguars 77-59 in the NBL Finals.
Despite getting off to a strong start, the Kira-based team dropped their second straight game due to the Lady Dolphins' zonal defence.
The Lady Jaguars took a six-point (24–18) lead at the end of the first quarter after the Lady Dolphins' high pick and roll failed.
Becky Keren Longom came off the bench to strengthen the defence of the defending champions as the Lady Dolphins struggled to keep up with the Lady Jaguars' rapid transitional style.
The Lady Dolphins led by a slender margin of one point (36-35) at the half.
As the Lady Jaguars entered the final quarter trailing by one point (52–51), they improved their defence after coming out of the locker rooms.
The Lady Dolphins' experience and mindset provided them with the advantage in the last quarter as the Lady Jaguars struggled offensively and made poor decisions.
Sudi Ulanga, the coach of the Lady Jaguars, had to call a timeout because the team was ahead 8-0 going into the fourth quarter. However, the Jaguars trailed by 18 points and were only able to score eight points in spite of the team talk.
The Lady Dolphins' top scorers in double figures were Brenda Ekone (11 points), Evelyn Nakiyinji (12 points), Hope Akello (17 points), and Flavia Oketcho (13 points).
However, the only Lady Jaguars players to score in double figures were Rhoda Nagitta (15 points) and Shakirah Nanvubya (13 points).