UFL:PAST CHAMPIONS THROUGH THE YEARS AHEAD OF THE PEPSI UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL LEAGUE FINAL

The Pepsi University Football League 2025/26 season will come to an end this Saturday, 2nd May 2026, at Hamz Stadium Nakivubo.

For starters, we shall have a new champion engraved on the trophy as the finalists, Muteesa I Royal University and YMCA Comprehensive Institute, are playing on this stage for the first time.

Let’s have a look at the previous winners.

The most prestigious University Football League started in 2012.

It was first played in a league format where Makerere University were the inaugural league winners with 23 points.

Nkumba University, Kyambogo, Kampala International University, and UMU Nkozi followed, respectively.

Makerere University won that league after Kyambogo failed to honour two fixtures, leading the organising committee to award Makerere with six points.

Nile Special, Rwenzori Water, and Pepsi were the sponsors that season.

Moving on to the next season in 2013, Kampala University had to win 1-3 against MUST to be crowned champions with 35 points, just four points ahead of second-placed Nkumba University.

Nkumba University lost 0-2 at home in their last game against Makerere University.

Sirajje Musindo from MUST was the league top scorer.

The following year 2014 saw some changes with universities that rose from 8 to 12, and Makerere University Business School (MUBS) emerged champions for the first time ever.

MUBS again won the trophy in 2015 with a commanding 4-0 win in the finals over UMU Nkozi.

In that year, MUBS’s Davis Kasujja was the MVP, Makerere University’s Joshua Lubwama was the top scorer, and Ndejje University’s Hannington Ssebwalunyo was the best goalkeeper.

Another thrilling season unfolded in 2016, Kampala University came back as champions after a very entertaining final against Entebbe-based Nkumba University.

The entertaining game ended 3-2 after extra time, earning Kampala University their second trophy.

UMU Nkozi made their mark in 2017.

The Christian founded university under Coach Shafiq Bisaso won their first trophy after a 2-0 win against MUBS.

Douglas Owori and Lauben Lubega scored for UMU Nkozi at Namboole Stadium.

Fred Gwoto from Nkumba University was the league top scorer with 8 goals.

Kyambogo University also celebrated their maiden championship in 2018.

They won the final against Kampala University in a 3-2 penalty shootout after the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

Kyambogo University had won against defending champions UMU Nkozi in the semi-finals.

UCU made history in 2019 at MTN Omondi Stadium Lugogo with a 2-1 win over St Lawrence University.

Mukono-based Uganda Christian University (UCU) was also written into the University Football League archives after winning the league.

UCU’s Kaye Kizito scored a brace while Misi Ssemugera scored a consolation for St Lawrence University (SLAU).

Unfortunately, the 2020-21 seasons were not played due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The league resumed in 2022, with UMU Nkozi winning their second title against St Lawrence University (SLAU).

Kaija Sunny’s skilful goal was all enough to win the highly anticipated final.

UCU won the bronze medal after a 3-4 penalty shootout against MUBS after the game ended 1-1 at normal time.

In the 2023/24 season, Nkumba University broke the jinx and won their first-ever championship in a sunny day at Lugogo.

Kennedy Ssebadukka gave Nkumba University the early lead before UCU goalkeeper Collins Wesonga got a red card.

Ismael Lubega doubled the lead for Nkumba with a curling freekick.

Isaac Musuga scored the third while Sharif Ssewanyana got a consolation for UCU.

UMU Nkozi became the record holders after clinching their third trophy at Muteesa I Stadium Wankulukuku.

They won 3-0 against St Lawrence University (SLAU), with Calvin Peter Emayu, Crispus Sseruwunge, and Ronald Obedgiu scoring for UMU Nkozi.

Bugema University won 1-0 against Mbale-based IUIU in the third place classification game.

This season’s finals will be played at Hamz Stadium Nakivubo at 3:00 pm, after the third place game between Kampala University and St Lawrence University at 12:00 pm.

Emmanuel Alex Wasswa, Yasser Mugerwa, Faizal Muwawu, Bruno Bunyaga, Allan Kabonge, Hannington Ssebwalunyo, and Joshua Lubwama, Mulamba Blancher are some of the notable talents groomed in the University Football League.

Red Rhino, Pepsi Uganda, and Nivana are the current league sponsors.