David GOMBE
The Stanbic Uganda Cup finalists Kitara FC have fired alarm over FUFA’s decision to stage the final at FUFA Kadiba Stadium on Saturday 30th May.
On Thursday morning, the Federation confirmed FUFA Kadiba Stadium as the venue to host the Stanbic Uganda Cup as well as revealing the fees for the game.
Kadiba Stadium is the Venue that Uganda’s record league champions have been using as their home venue this term. The Jogoos are unbeaten at the Venue winning nine league games and four draws as well as winning Stanbic Uganda Cup games against BUL FC, Maroons and URA FC.
Following the announcement, Kitara through their CEO Joshua Atugonza have written to FUFA calling for change of Venue.
“We acknowledge receipt of Circular No. FUFA/COMP/SUC/52/2026 dated 20th May 2026 regarding the organisation of the 52nd Stanbic Uganda Cup Final between Kitara FC and SC Villa scheduled to take place at FUFA Stadium, Kadiba. Kitara FC respectfully writes to request FUFA to reconsider the designated venue for the Final in the interest of fairness, neutrality, and sporting integrity. Whereas Article 22 of the Stanbic Uganda Cup Regulations grants FUFA the mandate to determine the Final venue, we are concerned that FUFA Stadium, Kadiba is currently the home ground of SC Villa, which gives our opponents an inherent sporting advantage in terms of familiarity, supporter access, and match environment.
It would have been understandable if the Final venue had been declared at the beginning of the competition before the participating finalists were known. However, announcing Kadiba as the venue at the final stage of the competition when SC Villa has already qualified creates a perception of unfairness and undermines the principle of neutrality expected in a major cup final. As finalists who have equally earned the right to compete for the trophy, we humbly appeal to FUFA to designate a neutral venue that guarantees equal sporting conditions for both clubs and preserves the integrity and credibility of the competition. We trust FUFA will give this matter the serious consideration it deserves in the interest of fairness and the good of Ugandan football.Kitara FC remains committed to cooperating fully with FUFA towards a successful and peaceful Stanbic Uganda.”
This will be the second consecutive Stanbic Uganda Cup final to be hosted at the Venue following the one that involved Vipers and KCCA FC last year.
Kitara FC who eliminated last year’s winners Vipers at the semi-final stage on away goals will be playing in their second final in three years.
In 2024, they overcame NEC FC 1-0 thanks to a Solomon Okwalinga sole goal in the final that was held at Muteesa II Stadium.
SC Villa returns to the final of the competition for the first time in eleven years. Their previous final came in 2015 when they dispatched KCCA FC 3-0 to clinch their ninth title.
The Jogoos eliminated URA FC 3-0 on aggregate after a two legged semifinal to reach the final.
Villa has previously won the competition nine times in 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2009 and 2015. At Kadiba they will be seeking a record equaling tenth title. Express and KCCA are the record winners of the Uganda Cup.
