Views: 12
FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim made his first address in the New Year today in a press briefing held at FUFA Complex Mengo, giving an update about the current state of football in the country.
The President summed up the activities that were conducted in the just concluded year and also shared the projections that FUFA intends to cover in 2025 including CHAN 2024.
He was flanked by FUFA 1st Vice President Justus Mugisha, FUFA EXCO Member Sam Mpiima, FUFA Deputy CEO- Governance Sam Bakiika, FUFA Deputy CEO-Football Decolas Kiiza, FUFA Communications Director Ahmed Hussein, FUFA Football Development Director Ali Mwebe, National Teams Manager Patrick Ntege and FUFA Legal Manager Denis Lukambi among others.
Below are some of the excerpts from the FUFA President’s address.
Opening Remarks
“On behalf of FUFA, allow me to congratulate your upon completing 2024 and I wish you a prosperous 2025. In the past year, Football has lost its gallant servants such as Fred Kajoba, Esther Musoke and Baker Kasigwa among others. We continue to pray that they have eternal rest.”
“Football is a public good, it holds emotions of many of us. Therefore it is incumbent upon me to update the nation about the progress and state of the game in the country.”
About CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027
“For us we dream big. And indeed we had a dream that we shared with our neighbors Kenya and Tanzania to host AFCON 2027. Of course there were people doubting but we were able to convince the three heads of State and when we sold our idea to CAF, they were convinced. Already, there is work ongoing in as far as the sporting infrastructure and this will go a long way in improving the level of stadiums in the region. I call upon the Private sector to embrace this golden opportunity as East Africa hosts both CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027 in areas of hospitality, events and opportunity.”
About Sporting Infrastructure
“As a country, we have had a challenge of sporting infrastructure for a long time. But I’m glad to inform you that there is commitment from the Government. Mandela National Stadium returned to use last year and the second phase of renovation will start soon. Hoima Stadium is already ahead of schedule and I’m confident the facility will be ready by December this year. Work at Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium has started, there has been some work at Kyambogo University Training Facility, Makerere University will commence soon. With CHAN coming, there is massive work going on at Wankulukuku, KISU and Kadiba Training Facilty. Additionally, Government has also funded projects like MTN-Omondi Stadium, Masaka Recreation Ground and money has been earmarked for Kakyeka Stadium.”
On Football Governance
“One of our biggest success stories as FUFA is our governance structure. We know that with proper governance, order is maintained and work can go on smoothly. Our Judicial Processes have been swift and transparent with 19 people banned in the last year for match manipulation. Statutory meetings such as the FUFA AGM and Executive Meetings have been held.”
About administration at FUFA
“FUFA has a very credible secretariat headed by CEO Edgar Watson who run the game day to day. In the last year, our staff has grown to meet the ever increasing demands of the game.”
About Football Development
“ FUFA is run on three key pillars namely Football Governance, Football the Sport and Football Business. In the past, we have had great success in Governance and Business but we have now set our sights on prioritizing the sport itself. In Football Development, we are organizing capacity building courses to have more people involved in the game in areas like coaching, refereeing and administrators. The modern game requires the use of science and technology and FUFA is recruiting full time staff in that area to cater for things like nutrition, data analysis and use of sports equipment.”
“ We launched the FUFA Technical Masterplan which is a Programme that will run for seven years. In this, we are seeking to address four key areas namely; Mass Football, Elite Football, Professional Football and Life after Football. We are working on a football curriculum that will be taught in our regional football centres of excellence and this will in the long run formulate a national football philosophy. FUFA has instituted a Talent-Identification framework with scouts trained and these have an online platform where they feed information about any young talent identified.”
About FUFA Football Competitions
“We continue to organize and superintend over our competitions. However, we still face a challenge of insufficient funding especially with the Uganda Premier League. We believe our clubs need to grow into better brands that can attract sponsors because that is the only way their commercial value can grow. We are glad to report that the FUFA Women Leagues (Super and Elite) got a sponsor in Finance Trust Bank and that shows the progress we are making in as far as women’s football is concerned.”
On National Teams
“The National Football Teams that we manage had a total of 41 international matches in 2024 with Uganda Cranes playing 13. We were able to qualify for AFCON 2025 and most recently 2025 U17 AFCON. The Uganda Hippos earned silver at the African Games in Ghana while the Queen Cranes got bronze at the same event. We believe our National Teams will have even more engagements this year considering the number of tournaments and qualifiers lined up.”
About Football Business
“FUFA currently operates on a 41.1Billion budget thanks to the Government of Uganda that provides 17 Billion specifically meant for National Teams. From our Sponsors and Media Rights were are able to raise 10 Billion while the rest of the money comes from CAF, FIFA, merchandising etc.”
About the FUFA reserve Fund
“ Whereas we are aware that running of Football demands huge sums of money but we equally have to care about the future. As the FUFA Executive, we agreed to open a FUFA reserve account in 2019 and this has since grown to about 400M shillings. We hope to keep saving more money so that in case of eventualities, the game is able to survive.”
About the FUFA SACCO
“We started a FUFA SACCO a few years ago in order to help our staff to save but also help them in making further investments. As of today, our SACCO has grown to a tune of 1.5 Billion shillings.”
About the internal controls
“FUFA has been able to install a SunSystem that has hugely helped us on how we manage and control our finances. Mr. Sam Bakiika who is the Deputy CEO- Governance has a background of an auditor, working with credible institutions like the PricewaterhouseCoopers.”
About the FUFA Communications Tool.
“FUFA has been able to set up both FUFA Tv and FUFA Radio to continue promoting the game. In addition, we have a credible Communications Department that is able to produce content. For those that attended the FUFA AGM at Maya Nature Resort saw the content that was produced including a book that covers the history of FUFA in the past 100 years.”
About the FUFA Marketing arm
“In order to widen our income pool, FUFA has created unique products through the FUFA Sportware Limited Company named Janzi. So far, we are produced Zakayo Balls, Referees attire and Uganda Cranes Jerseys. We hope to even get bigger in 2025. I want to warn those that are engaging in making counterfeits of these products, the law will catch up with you.”
About Pre-determination of match results
“This is a strong warning to those that are involved in the business of match fixing. One of the cardinal missions of FUFA is to protect the game and that we shall do. Last year, we banned 19 people and I want to assure you that we have the capacity to investigate and identify those involved. Please Report, Resist and Reject such vices. “
“Finally, I want to thank everyone who has made a contribution to the growth and development of football in Uganda. The President of the Republic of Uganda H. E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Maama Janet Kataha Museveni, Minister of State for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang, the Leadership of Parliament and Honorable Members, Sponsors, the FUFA Secretariat, Clubs, Referees, Club Administrators, Players and fans among others.”
Source:FUFA Media