Soroti University players during the training time at the university grounds. PHOTO: Gabriel Esiku

Soroti University is among the 29 institutions set to battle for supremacy in the 2025/26 Pepsi University Football League. This marks the first time the Teso region-based university will participate in inter-university football since its establishment in 2015.

Speaking to Vision Sport on Tuesday, Soroti University sports tutor Bruno Oribi Oponjuru expressed excitement about the milestone.

“I feel so happy and privileged to see Soroti University taking part in the university league. This will help students showcase their talents and enhance their academics, since sports instill vital interpersonal skills such as patience, communication, leadership, punctuality, accountability, teamwork, and trust,” Oribi said.

He added that participation in the league will also help market the university to other regions.

The university’s Games and Sports Minister, Elly Ekwamu, echoed the optimism, noting that the team is ready to compete. “Soroti University has a good team. We shall not only register to participate but to compete,” he said.

Ekwamu revealed that 25 players are currently undergoing non-residential training at the university grounds in preparation for their opening fixture on October 3 at Busitema Campus in Tororo.

This year’s edition of the Pepsi University Football League has expanded from 23 teams last season to 29, with new entrants including Mountains of the Moon University, Africa Renewal University, Soroti University, and Lira University. Meanwhile, Bishop Stuart University and Kyambogo University, who were suspended last year, have returned.

Peninah Kabenge, president of the Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS), welcomed the growth of the competition. “We are happy to see new universities joining the league because it is the best way to expose talent among learners. I urge fans across the regions to embrace the league and support the games,” she said.

The full list of participating universities includes: Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mountains of the Moon University, Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) Nkozi, University of Kisubi (UNIK), Kampala International University (KIU), Kampala University, Bugema University, Kabale University, Bishop Stuart University, Muteesa I Royal University, Africa Renewal University, International University of East Africa (IUEA), Nkumba University, Busitema University, Soroti University, YMCA University, ISBAT University, Kyambogo University, St. Lawrence University, Muni University, Lira University, Gulu University, Makerere University Business School (MUBS), Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), King Ceasor University, Kumi University, Makerere University, Uganda Christian University (UCU), and Ndejje University.

Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) Nkozi are the reigning champions of the 2025 edition.