The fourth edition of the FUFA Drum launched on Tuesday comes with several changes including an increase in the number of games from 36 played last year to 42.
Besides, this year’s final will be played on a one-legged basis.
According to the 2023 new format, on the basis of the last edition’s performance, the best eight provinces (Quarterfinalists) get a bye at the first round.
Last year’s Quarterfinalists include Tooro, Acholi, Lango, Teso, Bugisu, Kampala and Buganda.
The eight provinces that did not make it to the quarterfinals last year were randomly paired and will play at the first round as Bunyoro vs Sebei, Ankole vs Bukedi, Rwenzori vs Kigezi and Busoga vs Karamoja.
These fixtures will be played on a home and away basis with the winners on aggregate proceeding to the group stage.
In group phase, unlike the previous editions, this year’s edition has been seeded and each were placed in a separate group.
The four provinces include Tooro, Acholi, West Nile and Lango.
At the group stage, the games will be played on a home and away basis with each team guaranteed to play six games.
The best two teams from each group will progress to the quarterfinals. The games at this level will also be played on a home and away basis with the winners on aggregate advancing to the semifinals.
Groups
Group A
Teso
Winner between Ankole and Bukedi
Acholi
Group B
Lango
Kampala
Winner between Rwenzori or Kigezi
Group C
Winner between Busoga and Karamoja
West Nile
Bugisu
Group D
Winner between Bunyoro and Sebei
Tooro
Buganda
FUFA’s direct support to the provinces will include accommodation, transport and meals to all the visiting games; two sets of jerseys for home and away games to all participating teams; live coverage of all the games on FUFA TV and accommodation, transport, meals and allowances to all match officials.
Man of the match plaques and cash prize of Shs100,000 per game, training and match balls to every province and prize money of Shs100m.
The fixtures are expected to be released on June 16 and the games will kick off on 24 June, according to Rogers Byamukama, the Chairman FUFA Drum Organising Committee.
