Vipers Draw Battle Lines as FUFA League Row Turns into Open War

Ugandan football is on a brink of yet another major crisis as Vipers Sports Club president, Lawrence Mulindwa, locks horns with the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) over a contentious new league format.

What initially appeared as a simmering disagreement has now exploded into an all-out standoff, with the Venoms openly declaring they will not play under the federation’s freshly designed three-group competition structure.

FUFA, which has defended the reforms as necessary to “renew competition,” finds itself on a collision course with one of the country’s most influential football powerhouses. For Mulindwa, however, the reforms represent not innovation but erosion—an attack on clubs’ autonomy and survival.

“Time and again, we raised pertinent issues,” Mulindwa thundered in a letter dated October 2, 2025, “but to our surprise and dismay, Fufa has never formally responded. Instead, we have been ridiculed, blackmailed, rebuked, and ostracized for demanding legitimate answers to issues affecting the sporting integrity of the League.”

The dispute reached fever pitch when FUFA included Vipers in a high-profile double-header fixture at Namboole—Kitara vs. Vipers and KCCA vs. SC Villa—despite the club’s consistent objections.

Mulindwa, a former FUFA president himself, insists the reforms strip clubs of their hosting rights, commercial benefits, and community connections. To him, this is not merely administrative tinkering but a full-frontal assault on what makes clubs the heartbeat of Ugandan football.

“We find this unethical and disrespectful,” Mulindwa blasted, describing FUFA’s move as a blatant disregard for the struggles of privately owned clubs that have kept the local game alive.

Unlike Villa and NEC who have begrudgingly gone along with the new arrangement, Vipers have stood their ground. Mulindwa says the Venoms refuse to be “conscripted” into fixtures without clarity and consultation.

In his strongly worded letter—copied to the Minister of Education and Sports, National Council for Sports, Uganda Premier League officials, sponsors, fans, and other stakeholders—he left no room for doubt. “Vipers shall not participate in the new format until our concerns are formally addressed. We shall use all available means within football laws to seek redress and protect our rights.”

FUFA, however, remains unmoved, determined to press ahead with reforms it argues are designed to “refresh competition and attract more fans.” Yet evidence on the ground tells a different story. The opening two matchdays have seen shockingly low turnouts, with fans voting with their feet against a format many view as confusing and unnecessary.

That disconnect between federation intent and club realities has deepened distrust, setting the stage for an ugly football war whose casualties are already visible in half-empty stadiums.

Vipers have since issued a formal communication to supporters reinforcing their stand.

“Vipers Sports Club informs it’s fans, stakeholders, football lovers and the General public that the club shall not participate in the new league format double header game against Kitara FC scheduled for this Saturday, October 4th, 2025 at Namboole stadium until FUFA formally and respectfully responds to the issues raised in our various correspondences and petitions against the new league format and reforms.,” the statement reads.

The club further added: “Vipers SC appreciates the support and encouragement from the fans, genuine football lovers and all stakeholders in the pursuit for integrity of the game and a league that listens to and respects all stakeholders.”