The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has pardoned Arua Hill SC and Busoga United FC and told the Uganda Premier League secretariat to include the two clubs in the fixtures for 2023/24.

In two separate letters, dated 11 August 2023, addressed to the Arua Hill and Busoga CEOs respectively, from the FUFA Club Licensing Committee (First Instance Body), the clubs were informed about the condonement.

This, following their appeal of similar penalties that would see them miss out on the 2023/24 Premier League licence

“Reference is made to your letter on the above subject in which your club appealed the decision of the The FCLAC noted that your club had not fully submitted the minimum Club Licensing requirements,” the letters sent to each of the two clubs read in part.

Adding, however, that; “There were efforts done by the club(s) to submit the requirements even after the FIB decisions were made.”

The FCLAC set aside the decisions of the FIB and pardoned Arua Hill and Busoga on condition that the managements and administrations of the two clubs undergo mentorship programmes organised by FUFA at the cost of the clubs.”

The Uganda Premier League secretariat has been conclusively been advised to include Arua Hill and Busoga in the fixtures for 2023/24.

Apparently, FUFA had threatened to withdraw Arua Hill and Busoga from the UPL fixtures and demote them to the second division, after they had both fell short of the mandatory requirements to be awarded a licence for the 2023/24 season.

The Arua and Busoga sides had failed to provide proof on governance and ownership of the clubs.

Each one of the two clubs also failed to provide a club fitness coache with a certified fitness certificate.

Both clubs had failed to provide audited financial statements for the previous season.

Arua Hill had also failed to provide proof from the bank that the Club CEO is signatory to the club bank account.