KCCA FC’s Uganda Premier League clash against UPDF FC was abandoned at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo, on Thursday night after the floodlights failure plunged the venue into darkness.

The match, which kicked off at 7pm, was interrupted in the 10th minute when the stadium lights went off, forcing the referee to halt play.

Players from both sides remained on the pitch for several minutes as officials waited for the problem to be resolved. However, after more than 40 minutes, match officials abandoned the fixture.

The incident left players, officials and fans disappointed, with the teams eventually returning to the dressing rooms as darkness engulfed the Lugogo-based facility.

KCCA FC subsequently issued a statement apologising for the disruption and abandonment, while confirming that the club was treating the incident seriously.

“KCCA FC regrets the interruption and subsequent abandonment of our match against UPDF FC at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo, following a failure of the stadium floodlights,” the club said.

“We sincerely apologise to our fans, supporters, UPDF FC, and everyone who turned up for the match for the inconvenience and disappointment caused by this incident.”

The club added that it would work with the relevant stakeholders to establish the circumstances surrounding the failure and was awaiting further communication from the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) on the next course of action.

The incident now places the fixture under the provisions of Rule 31 of the FUFA Competitions Rules 2026 Edition, which outlines procedures for matches interrupted by floodlight failures.

Under Rule 31(5), the referee is required to suspend a match for up to 30 minutes, or until the lights are restored, whichever comes first. If the floodlights cannot be restored to the required licensed standards within that period, the referee must abandon the match.

Rule 31(6) provides for different outcomes depending on the findings of an investigation into the cause of the abandonment.

If the investigation establishes that the home team was responsible for the failure or benefited from it, the home side may forfeit the match and face further disciplinary action from the FUFA Judicial Centre (FJC). The same provision applies to the away team if it is found responsible or to have benefited.

Where the failure is deemed unavoidable, the decision depends on how much of the match has been played.

If fewer than 70 minutes have elapsed, the fixture is to be rescheduled by the Technical and Disciplinary Committee (TDC) as a continuation-of-play match.

If 70 minutes or more have been played, the rules provide for specific arrangements depending on the result at the time of abandonment and whether the two captains agree in writing to allow the result to stand.

The regulations further state that if a club is found to have influenced or facilitated the floodlight failure for sporting or other benefits, the FJC will determine the appropriate decision to protect the integrity of the competition.

The Uganda Premier League is awaiting the match officials’ reports before submitting the matter to the relevant FUFA judicial authorities for investigation and a final decision on the fixture.

Meanwhile, Sports Club Villa’s fine form continued with a 2-0 victory over Mbarara City at the Mutesa II stadium in Wankulukuku thanks to Frank Ssebufu and substitute Yiga Najib strikes in either half.

At Rwamwanja stadium in Kamwenge, onform visitors Entebbe UPPC needed Kokolo Reich’s solitary strike to edge embattled Kigezi Home Boyz 1-0 for maximum points.

League action returns today, Friday with Vipers SC hosting Police FC at the St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.