The Uganda Premier League has joined seven other African professional football leagues in the formation of the ‘African Leagues’, a new regional division under the World Leagues Association (WLA), following a landmark meeting held in Cairo, Egypt.
The initiative brings together leagues from Algeria, Botswana, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe under a shared ‘Declaration of Principles’, committing to a unified approach to the growth and development of club football across the African continent.
For the Uganda Premier League, this development marks a significant step towards strengthening its professional structures and enhancing competitiveness. The platform is designed to promote national league competitions, support sustainable growth, improve governance standards and encourage collaboration among member leagues.
The African Leagues will also provide an important avenue for engagement with key continental and international stakeholders, including the Confederation of African Football (CAF), FIFPRO Africa and the International Labour Organization (ILO), particularly through its Africa office in Cairo.
As part of the new structure, Egypt’s Ahmed Deiab, President of the Egyptian Pro League, has been nominated to serve as Chair, providing leadership on strategy and representation.
To support implementation, four task forces have been established. The Uganda Premier League has been included in the Membership Task Force alongside the leagues from Zambia and Algeria, under the leadership of the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League. This task force will focus on expanding participation and strengthening league networks across the continent.
Other task forces include the Competitions Task Force, chaired by the South African Premier Soccer League, the Social Dialogue Task Force led by the Egyptian Pro League, and the Development Task Force, coordinated by the World Leagues Association with participation from all members.
