David GOMBE
Former SC Villa President Immanuel Misagga believes the current standoff between Vipers SC and the Federation of Uganda football Associations (Fufa) is threatening the course and existence of the 2025/2026 Uganda Premier League.
In his recent article with the Daily Monitor and the observer, Misagga stated that Vipers SC President Dr Lawrence Mulindwa is not fighting for his beloved club alone but is fighting for a rearguard action.
“Dr Mulindwa is not fighting for Vipers alone; he is fighting a rearguard action for the very principle of fair governance, a concept Fufa has long since abandoned. The timing of Fufa’s imposition of a new league format is a masterclass in cynicism, not sporting integrity.”
Misagga also attacked Magogo for blackmailing clubs opposing his new league format as government enemies.
“Magogo, a seasoned political operator, deliberately chose the heat of the 2026 election campaign, knowing the Minister of Education and Sports, First Lady Janet Museveni, would be too occupied to intervene.
“Worse still, he has weaponized the state machinery, creating a toxic narrative that any club opposing his new league format is an enemy of the government. This is not football administration; it is political blackmail.”
“Therefore, why is Vipers standing alone? The answer lies in an effective strategy of coercion and co-option deployed by Fufa against a fragmented Uganda Premier League (UPL).”
Misagga also stated that FUFA reforms bulldoze clubs who have different drivers and pressures.
“The UPL comprises three distinct categories: institutional clubs, community clubs run as limited companies, and community clubs under trusts. They have different drivers, different pressures and cannot be treated as one bloc. Yet, Fufa’s “reforms” bulldoze these critical differences. Look at the 16 clubs.”
“Eleven are institutional clubs, whose very existence often depends on staying in the government’s good graces. For Magogo, this subservience extends to parliament, where he is an MP for Budiope East. So, he has created a political echo chamber that silences the dissent of institutional clubs.” Said Misagga
Misagga also believes that Mulindwa and Vipers failure will be the end of football in the country. It remains uncertain whether Vipers will feature in the 2025/26 season.
