President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s Speech at the FUFA Football Stake Holders Symposium on Saturday, 23rd January 2015, delievered by Vice President, Hon. Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi:
I am pleased by joining this stakeholders’ meeting to exchange ideas on Uganda’s football.
I wish to register my gratitude to the National team, The Cranes, for the games that were won.
I ask you to make a review of those that were lost.
Football requires a lot of hard work, Unity and Commitment.
Remain focused and explore all opportunities for I know that you have not yet done your best.
The NRM Government has been focusing on addressing the challenges of the shambolic economy it inherited in the late 1980’s and the stabilization of the entire nation.
From the colonial times, Uganda has never had total stability.
It is only recently that the NRM Government finalized the disarmament of the Karamoja Region and stopped insurgencies, that the entire country is now peaceful.
L-R: Sports Commissioner, Ministry of Education and Sports, Mr. Lameck Omara Apitta, State Sports Minister, Hon. Charles Bakabulindi, Vice President of Uganda, H.E Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi, FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo, FUFA 1st Vice President, Mr. Justus Mugisha and Uganda Olympic Committee President, William Blick singing the national anthem prior to the start of the symposium.
Government could, therefore, not fully focus on other developments in the country when our brothers and sisters were still shading blood for no good cause.
It is for these reasons, that the sports sector particularly football among others, were not adequately facilitated.
However, with the peace, security and stabilization of the Economy; Government is willing to do all that is necessary to promote sports, Including Football to the next level.
Ladies and Gentlemen, well facilitated sports stadia; presuppose the development of infrastructure, Roads, Energy, Water and Human Resources; you may, therefore not talk of well – developed football stadia and sports in general before adequately addressing the socio-economic development issues of a country.
I, therefore, call upon all stake holders in football to play their respective roles in the socio-economic transformation of Uganda as this will invariably contribute to the growth of football.
Government on its part is seriously focusing on the improvement of infrastructure that will transform the economy and, therefore, form a firm foundation for the development if sports, football included.
Government is aware, that sports in important not only for the health and social well-being of the people involved, but also for the great role it plays in marketing the country.
Sports such as Football are indeed big business world-wide and can, therefore, contribute tremendously to the country’s economy.
Government is, therefore, committed to continually support all endeavors’ aimed at promoting Sports in the country.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the NRM Government adopted a Private Sector-led growth strategy which has seen phenomenal growth in some sectors of the economy for instance, in the communication sub-sector, I, therefore, call upon all those involved in FUFA to build on the vibrancy of the economy and create a symbiotic relationship between Sports, Private Sector and Government.
When the NRM Government came into power, it took a long –term view of the then ailing Uganda economy and diagnosed the key elements that were affecting it, which included; poor infrastructure, suppression of the Private Sector and the stunted human potential.
Government, therefore, took deliberate efforts to address these strategic bottle- necks for meaningful development to take place.
I, therefore, call upon FUFA, to get back to the drawing board and strategize on the next course of action.
Quick Fixes, however popular they may appear, will not yield meaningful results.
The team we have now should help train our young players.
It is a long term project but I believe this is how most countries that are famous in the football worls have made it.
As you train the young ones, observe how they run, are they on their fore feet, running lightly?
Do they have creativity on the ball? Do they appear interested in the game?
There is a luganda saying that; “Akaliba akendo, okalabila ku mukonda”.
This cuts across all other sectors of sports.
Lets start football from scratch like the NRM did with the Ugandan economy. It is important to identify a problem then deal with it strategically.
I wish to thank the corporate entities in Uganda for their support and attention that the sports activities in Uganda are enjoying.
Uganda has been considered to have abundant talents and also a football – loving nation arising from the fact that football competitions draw good attendance when the National team – The Cranes, play as well as from the fact that it is extensively covered in the media.
A lot more can be done and I wish to once again note that Government has the will, capacity and determination to deliver to Ugandans a conducive sports environment.
The Ministry of Education and Sports came up with the policy on physical education and sports which will be included in the school curriculum.
This will help to tap and develop talents at a tender age.
All these efforts are aimed at uplifting the standard of sports in Uganda.
The Uganda Cranes team line up prior to the fixture against Ghana at Namboole Stadium. President Museveni thanked the players, coach and his technical people as well as the entire FUFA Executive.
I wish to recognize the FUFA Executive Committee for the enormous work you are doing to manage and direct football in the country.
I also wish to register my appreciation to the coach (Milutin Sedrejovic) and the players of the National team and everybody who has contributed to the development of football in the country.
Thank You.
For God and My Country.
H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,
President of the Republic of Uganda.
FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo hands over a special gift of appreciation to the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, Hon Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi after the latter delivered the president’s message at the Football Symposium.
MAIN PHOTO: Vice President, Hon. Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi reading President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s speech to the delegates at Prime rose Hal, Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.
PHOTO CREDITS: FUFA Communications Department
Participants at the Football Symposium
