KCCA and Kitara face the prospect of starting the 2026/27 season without their home grounds after the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) rejected MTN Omondi Stadium and Royals Park during its latest club licensing inspections.
FUFA has approved only seven stadiums to host matches next season after inspecting venues against club licensing requirements, with eight others—including the home grounds of KCCA and reigning Uganda Cup champions Kitara—failing to meet the required standards.
MTN Omondi Stadium in Lugogo was rejected after inspectors found the artificial turf to be significantly worn, particularly around both goalmouths, posing a safety risk to players.
Fufa also cited substandard technical benches and inadequate floodlighting, with the stadium registering an average illumination of 503 lux, below the federation's minimum requirement for licensed venues.
Royals Park in Butema also failed the inspection after officials identified several deficiencies affecting both player welfare and match-day operations.
According to the inspection report, the playing surface is uneven, the home dressing room has insufficient functional lockers, while the away dressing room has none. Inspectors also found that the away team's changing room has only three working showers.
The report further noted the absence of proper stadium signage, poorly finished sanitary facilities—some toilets lack doors—and no designated media working area.
Unless the identified shortcomings are addressed and the venues pass a fresh inspection before the new season begins, both KCCA and Kitara will be required to nominate alternative stadiums to host their home fixtures.
The inspections form part of Fufa\s annual club licensing process, which requires clubs to meet minimum standards covering infrastructure, safety, security, medical facilities and media operations before they can host Uganda Premier League matches.
The licensing system, aligned with Confederation of African Football (Caf) standards, is intended to improve the quality of football infrastructure, enhance the match-day experience and ensure the safety of players, officials and spectators.
The stadiums approved for the 2026/27 season are St Mary's Stadium, Kitende; Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo; Mutesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku; Kiira Police Arena; Lugazi Stadium; the Fufa Technical Centre in Njeru; and Rwamwanja Stadium in Kamwenge.
Other venues that failed the inspection include Bugonga Fisheries Ground, Luzira Prisons Ground, Kigezi Al-Madina Ground, Mbale City Stadium, Bombo Barracks Ground and Ebenezer University Ground.
According to Fufa, the rejected venues shared several common shortcomings, including poor playing surfaces, inadequate drainage systems, substandard dressing rooms, the absence of medical rooms, insufficient sanitary facilities and a lack of media working areas.
With the Uganda Premier League season approaching, affected clubs are now racing against time to rectify the deficiencies or secure alternative venues to avoid playing their home fixtures away from their traditional fan bases.
