Six clubs have been left out of the Uganda Premier League (UPL) 2026/27 fixtures after failing to meet stadium licensing requirements ahead of the new season.
The UPL secretariat released the fixtures less than a month before the campaign kicks off on August 28, 2026, with KCCA FC, NEC FC, Entebbe UPPC FC, Kitara FC, Kataka FC and Blacks Power FC missing from the schedule.
The six clubs failed to secure approved home venues after the extended deadline for stadium compliance elapsed on August 25.
A source revealed that the affected clubs did not submit alternative venues by the deadline, leaving them out of the initial fixture release.
UPDF FC, whose Bombo Barracks Stadium failed to meet licensing requirements, has since shifted its home matches to Nakivubo Stadium.
Newcomers Kigezi HomeBoyz will host their games at Rwamwanja Stadium after Al Madina Stadium failed inspection, while Maroons will use Wankulukuku Stadium after Luzira Prisons Stadium was not approved.
Lugogo Stadium, the home ground for KCCA FC and NEC FC, failed due to several concerns, including an ageing artificial turf, substandard technical benches and floodlights that do not meet the required average lux levels.
Entebbe UPPC FC are still working on Bugonga Stadium, which fell short of licensing standards due to several infrastructure and maintenance issues. The concerns include poor pitch conditions requiring turf rehabilitation, lack of drainage channels, inadequate technical benches, absence of a referees’ bench, dressing rooms without lockers, lack of a medical room, insufficient sanitary facilities for fans, poor surrounding areas, no media working space and lack of electricity for night security.
Kitara FC’s Royal Park Butema also failed due to an uneven playing surface, inadequate dressing room lockers, insufficient shower facilities in the away dressing room, lack of a media working area and overgrown surroundings, among other issues.
Kataka FC’s Mbale Stadium was rejected over poor pitch conditions, absence of drainage, substandard technical benches, inadequate dressing rooms, lack of a medical room, insufficient sanitary facilities, no media area and the need for improvements to the stands and surrounding areas.
Blacks Power’s Ebenezer Stadium failed inspection because of poor pitch conditions, lack of drainage, absence of technical benches, dressing rooms and a medical room, inadequate sanitary facilities, no media working area and the lack of a permanent perimeter fence.
The 2026/27 Uganda Premier League season will kick off on Friday, August 28, with BUL hosting Express at Njeru.
Other opening-day fixtures will see Lugazi welcome Kigezi HomeBoyz, Maroons take on URA, while Police host Mbarara City.
Uganda Premier League draft fixture 2026/27:
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