By 
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has approved seven stadiums and rejected eight others following the completion of the stadium assessment exercise conducted as part of the club licensing process ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The assessment, carried out by the FUFA Club Licensing Committee, sought to determine whether venues meet the minimum infrastructure, safety and operational standards required to host top-flight football matches in Uganda.
According to the findings released by FUFA, only seven stadiums met the required benchmarks and have been cleared to host matches during the upcoming campaign. These include St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende, Hamz Stadium-Nakivubo, Mutesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku, Kiira Police Arena, Lugazi Stadium, FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru and Rwamwanja Stadium in Kamwenge.
However, eight venues failed to secure approval after inspectors identified a number of shortcomings ranging from poor playing surfaces to inadequate facilities for players, officials, fans and the media.
The rejected venues are Bugonga Fisheries Ground, MTN Omondi Stadium, Luzira Prisons Ground, Royal’s Park Butema, Kigezi Al-Madina Ground, Mbale City Stadium, Bombo Barracks Ground and Ebenezer University Ground.
A common trend among the non-approved stadiums was poor pitch conditions, with several venues having bare patches and requiring extensive turf maintenance, including levelling, mowing, rolling and grass planting. Inadequate drainage systems also emerged as a major concern, raising fears of flooding during the rainy season.
The inspection report further highlighted deficiencies in dressing rooms, technical benches and sanitary facilities, with many stadiums lacking dedicated medical rooms for players and match officials.
Several grounds were also found wanting in terms of security and media infrastructure. Most of the rejected venues do not have media working areas, while some lack perimeter fencing, fan segregation and secure access routes for players from dressing rooms to the field of play.
Particular concern was raised over the state of MTN Omondi Stadium, whose artificial playing surface was described as significantly worn out, especially in the goalmouth areas where it poses a serious risk of injury to players. The stadium’s floodlighting system was also found to be below the minimum requirements, averaging only 503 lux.
Royal’s Park Butema, home to Kitara FC, was faulted for its uneven playing surface, inadequate dressing room facilities and overgrown surroundings, while Bombo Barracks Ground was cited for poor sanitary facilities, lack of fan separation and the absence of a media working area.
Ebenezer University Ground and Kigezi Al-Madina Ground were among the venues with the most significant shortcomings, lacking basic infrastructure such as dressing rooms, technical benches and perimeter fencing.
The publication of the inspection results now places pressure on the affected clubs and stadium owners to undertake the necessary renovations and improvements if they are to secure approval to host matches during the forthcoming season.
The club licensing process forms part of FUFA’s broader efforts to improve football infrastructure standards across the country and ensure that match venues provide a safe and professional environment for all stakeholders.
