In response to financial challenges faced by Arua Hill and Ndejje FC, the Federation of Uganda’s Football Associations (FUFA) has authorized players to explore opportunities with other clubs.
The FUFA Executive Committee, in a statement, emphasized its obligation to safeguard the integrity of its members and players, recognizing their livelihoods depend on football.
All players of Ndejje University FC have been declared free agents with immediate effect, allowing them to join a club of their choice.
Similarly, players from Arua Hill SC without existing contracts have the liberty to pursue opportunities with any club. Additionally, those whose contracts have been mutually terminated are free to seek opportunities elsewhere.
For players still under contract with Arua Hill SC, FUFA permits them to join another club on loan for the remainder of the 2023/24 season. A transfer window period from March 1st to March 15th, 2024, has been established for players from both Ndejje University FC and Arua Hill SC to finalize transfers to their preferred clubs.
Earlier this year, both clubs encountered significant financial setbacks, jeopardizing their participation in their respective leagues.
In January, the FUFA Club Licensing Committee withdrew Arua Hill SC’s license for alleged non-compliance with club licensing regulations, leading to their omission from the second-round fixtures of the StarTimes–Uganda Premier League for 2023/24.
Arua Hill SC faced difficulties following the disinterest of former club president Eng. Joel Jaffer Aita, who sold the club due to insufficient returns on investment, prompting several players, including former club captain Gaddafi Wahab, to seek opportunities elsewhere.
Similarly, Ndejje University FC announced the dissolution of their football club on January 15, 2024, citing financial constraints, lack of returns on investments, and the recent passing of club coach Raymond Komakech.
These developments have left players from both clubs in a state of uncertainty regarding their future, especially those with existing contracts.
