Forget double-headers, reforming UPL requires multi-faceted approach

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OPINION

By Immanuel Ben Misagga

In recent years, I have watched from the sidelines as FUFA treats our beautiful game as its personal object. The current standoff between Vipers SC and the federation is not an isolated incident; it has been brewing for some time.

In fact, it is a symptom of a deep-seated malaise of arrogance, impunity and FUFA’s disregard for Dr Lawrence Mulindwa, the single biggest investor in Ugandan football.

Unfortunately, there are no winners in this fight. But the biggest loser, as always, is Ugandan football itself.

As Vipers and the federation continue to lock horns, players are suffering, fans are feeling alienated, and the sport we love is stagnating.

Of course, you may already be aware that this chaos was triggered by FUFA’s abrupt and ill-conceived imposition of a new complex league format.

It has confused stakeholders, destabilised the competition, on top of exposing FUFA’s autocratic tendencies for all to see.

But there is a remedy to the madness. Instead of this constant back-and-forth stalemate, stakeholders need to create a sustainable system.

In the professional Belgian and Scottish domestic league, where FUFA cloned the system, it is succeeding because clubs there have the basics to be sustainable: a full house for every home match, positive cash-flow and the support of city authorities.

This system works for everyone, from the club owners investing millions to the youngest fan in the stands.

It is a different ball game in Uganda, where most of the UPL clubs are institutional and, therefore, not for communities.

This brings me to the point where our domestic league system must be built on three core pillars of revenue generation, fan engagement and stakeholder value.

So, when it comes to revenue generation, I find FUFA’s new format leaving millions of shillings on the table while at the same time placing clubs in limbo when it comes to sustenance.

For instance, what interest would a fan have in watching a relegation battle when there is no hope of determining the champion? In England, where most Ugandans follow teams, smaller clubs hit the lottery when they draw giant teams in the FA Cup. An away Vipers game against a relegation-threatened team will always draw more crowds than a relegation-three-pointer.

We don't need to reinvent the wheel; we need to maintain a tried and tested successful model.

The key takeaway is gross collection and competition level. On the balance of probabilities, a match involving a title contender versus a relegation survivor will always be more competitive and worthy following than that involving two survivors.

But beyond this format hullabaloo, clubs ought to wake up to negotiate lucrative broadcasting deals that are transparent and benefit them, not just the federation.

To this, I feel for StarTimes, the flagship sponsors, who are seeing an unprofessional, chaotic product. But they don’t need to worry much because, after all, they successfully negotiated to pay peanuts for a 10-year deal. Just Google and see the absurd figures.

When it comes to fan engagement, FUFA has been a spectacular failure. Fans are the lifeblood of this sport, yet they are being treated as an afterthought.

This new league format was made in a dark room and imposed by decree, creating confusion and anger. So, fans deserve a competitive balance, not a league structure that changes with the wind.

Finally, you only have to look at the world's most successful leagues: the English Premier League, La Liga and the Bundesliga.

Their success is built on the very principles FUFA ignores: consistency, commercial acumen and genuine partnership with clubs. They don't change their fundamental playing format every season to suit a whim.

So, the solution is not for FUFA to change the clubs' playing system at a dictator's command. The solution is to change the system of governance itself. We need a football federation that serves the game, not one that rules over it.

The standoff with Vipers is a battle in a much larger war. The war for the soul of Ugandan football.

Clubs, fans and all true stakeholders must unite and demand the reforms we deserve.

The writer is a football investor and SC Villa President Emeritus.