FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa inspecting players
The MTN sponsored FUFA inter regional tournament officially kicked off at Hoima Boma ground, Tuesday afternoon with hosts Kitara FC picking up a surprising and crucial win against West Nile.
Kitara edged West Nile 2-1 in the day’s last fixture that was watched by a huge crowd of spectators. FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa officially flagged off this year’s tournament.
In the first match played at 10:00 am, defending champions Eastern FC registered a 2-0 win over Western. They scored through Wahab Waiswa and Shabena Daniel. Buganda struggled to beat North East 1-0 while Kampala drew 1-1 with Northern.
Action for the FUFA-MTN inter region competition started off today in Hoima.
Cranes head coach Micho is in Hoima to scout on he potential players. This is the fifth edition of the FUFA-MTN tournament.
Eng. Tenga addressing the club officials in Kampala on Tuesday. Next to him is FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa.
Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) President Eng. Leodgar Tenga has spoken out on the recent CHAN South Africa 2014 qualifiers match played last Saturday and confessed that ‘Uganda was the leading football power house’ in the CECAFA region he heads.
“Yes, last weekend, Tanzania got ejected from the CHAN tournament by Uganda Cranes and we are all aware that Uganda is the leading football power house in our region” Tenga publicly confessed. He was speaking at the official opening of the two day FIFA organized workshop for FUFA Super League club officials at Nambole stadium this Tuesday.
FIFA officials pose for a group photograph with FUFA Super League officials after the official opening of the workshop on Tuesday.
Uganda edged Tanzani a 1-0 in Dar es Salaam before walloping them 3-1 in Namboole to dump them on a 4-1 aggregate. Tenga who is also the CECAFA president however added that for Uganda’s football to continue prospering there was need to have a well-organized national league saying this was the prime reason for the workshop .
FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa officially opened the workshop and called for unity and cooperation between FUFA and the clubs playing in the country’s top tier. “We need to get more united and avoid having two leagues…it won’t help our football” Mulindwa pleaded. The workshop attended by club chairmen and secretaries is facilitated by FIFA and CAF officials.
FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa handing over a trophy to the tournament winners in 2011. He will be in Hoima to officially open this year’s edition on Tuesday.t
This year’s FUFA-MTN Inter Regional competitions will be flagged off on Tuesday afternoon at Hoima Municipal Ground as home boys Kitara FC take on West Nile in an opening match of the tournament to be played at 4:00 pm.
The organizing committee has paraded four matches daily before the knock out stages scheduled for Friday. Earlier on Tuesday, defending champions Eastern Region FC will play Western at 10:00am, Buganda will play North East at mid-day and Mid North takes on Kampala at 2:00 pm, just two hours before the official opening match.
Players in action last year. Eastern Region lifted the championship.
FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa will be in Hoima to preside over the function. Cranes head Coach Micho is among the other expected guests in Hoima. The finals will be played on Saturday. The tournament is funded by MTN.
FIFA Development Officer Ashford Mamelodi is already in the country
FUFA in conjunction with the International World Football body FIFA have organized a two-day workshop for all the FUFA Super League (FSL) clubs ahead of the 2013/2014 new season.
The non-residential training workshop to be held at Mandela National Stadium will be conducted by high caliber officials from FIFA and CAF.
FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa is destined to officially open the workshop on Tuesday at 09:30am in Mandela National Stadium Board room.
All clubs including the newly promoted have confirmed participation. Each club will be officially represented by the chairman and secretary. Sessions will begin 9:00am daily.
The workshop will help the club officials acquire knowledge and skills on how best they can have a successful competition.
FIFA Development Officer Ashford Mamelodi is already in the country while James Johnson, Francesco Bruscoli and Eng. Leodgar Tenga are expected anytime.
The FUFA Premier League will officially kick off on August 20th this year.
FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa ended his two term leadership without a loss at home in eight years.
Cranes’ striker Frank Kalanda scored twice and Brian Majwega converted a second half penalty to earn Uganda a 3-1 win against visiting Tanzania in a Saturday match that saw the home side qualifying for the 2014 CHAN finals due in South Africa.
This is the second time Uganda is making it to the finals of this championship and it was a fourth competitive international match victory for Coach Micho. Uganda Premier Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi was the chief guest and congratulated outgpoing FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa upon making it to the continental finals.
“It’s a big opportunity for our players …they will now have a bigger exposure on the market, I congratulate you Mr. Lawrence Mulindwa” said the Prime Minister. This was Mulindwa’s last international match as a federation President as he winds up his two-term leadership Mulindwa chose not to stand again in this year’s elections and Eng. Moses Magogo is set to replace him.
Rogers Mulindwa handing over the tickets to Jjajja Walu at his home in Nabbingo on Thursday
FUFA has extended a special invitation to Cranes left defender Godfrey Walusimbi to be part of the audience to cheer up the National home side as Uganda takes on visiting Tanzania in the CHAN South Africa 2014 return leg at Namboole this weekend.
FUFA Head of Communications Rogers Mulindwa visited Walusimbi at his home in Nabbingo this Thursday evening and hand delivered some VIP tickets to the international player to enable him watch the Saturday game. Diane Karugaba a member of the Uganda Cranes Initiative (UCI), a national football fans’ umbrella also handed over a joint contribution of UGX 650.000 to Walusimbi.
“FUFA treasures you as one of our great players and we shall stand by your side until you recover from the shock of losing your spouse. I know, life is still hard on your side but accept our special invitation to you and some few members of your family to watch the weekend fixture” Mulindwa said as he handed over the tickets to Walusimbi.
Mulindwa (c) and Diane Karugaba at Walusimbi’s home in Nabbingo. Karugaba handed over a joint contribution of UGX 650,000 from UCI to Walusimbi.
Walusimbi lost his wife Winnie last week who left behind a three months old baby, Olivia Nakimuli. Karugaba said the UCI contribution was to cater for the baby’s milk.
“I am very grateful to both FUFA and UCI for the care you have continued extending to me…I am still weak but will try to be part of the Ugandan audience in Namboole on Saturday” said Walusimbi.
Meanwhile the match tickets went on market this Thursday morning at City Oil branches in Kamwokya, Bakuli, Bombo Rd, Martin Rd and Nakawa.
Others selling points include Total Nakivubo, City Centre, Kireka, Bweyogerere and Bwaise, Shell Bwaise and Capital, Gapco Ben Kiwanuka street, Kobil Kasubi, Ndeeba, Kibuye and Jinja, Hard ware World Ntinda, City Shoppers Mukono and Basebuguzi and sons in Masaka.
Hassan Wasswa received the donation of Shs.30m from the Fufa President Lawrence Mulindwa on Tuesday evening.
The Tanzanian Football National team (Taifa Stars) arrives in the country this Wednesday 24th July 2013 at 2:15pm and will be accommodated at Mt. Zion Hotel within the City Centre.
Match tickets will be on market by 08:00am on Thursday morning and below are the gazetted selling points:
CITY OIL: Kamwokya, Bombo Rd, Martin Rd, Bakuli and Nakawa.
TOTAL: Nakivubo, City Centre (Opposite Uganda House), Kireka, Bweyogerere and Bwaise.
SHELL: Capital and Bwaise.
KOBIL: Kasubi, Ndeeba, Kibuye and Jinja
GAPCO: Ben Kiwanuka.
Hardware World Ntinda
City Shoppers- Mukono
Basebuguzi and Sons Masaka (Kayondo plaza)
Our fans are warned against buying tickets outside the above mentioned stations. Charges are fixed at UGX 10,000 and UGX.25,000 for open seats and pavilion respectively.
Meanwhile the FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa on Tuesday evening hosted the Cranes National team to a special dinner and challenged them to remain focused ahead of the Saturday match.
Mulindwa gave the boys a cash donation of UGX.30, 000,000 to motivate them and pledged more support towards the team. Captain Hassan Wasswa received the money and hailed the FA leader for his personal and Federation support towards the team.
Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) have confirmed Wednesday 24th July 2013 as the arrival date of their National football team ahead of the CHAN return leg against Uganda Cranes scheduled for this coming Saturday in Namboole.
Boniface Wambura the Federation Communications Officer said in an official letter to FUFA that their team will be travelling aboard Precision Air (Flight No.PW 762) and are expected in Entebbe around 1415hrs.
Gate charges for the Saturday match have been put at UGX 10,000 and UGX 25,000 for open seats and Pavilion respectively.
FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa has this Wednesday, July 17 2013 addressed a press Conference at the Federation Headquarters here in Mengo and made official comments on a number of issues including the looming threats to disband FUFA by the government. Below are the highlights of his address.
FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa
FUFA set for disbandment
President Lawrence Mulindwa told journalists that the fast spreading rumours of disbanding FUFA by government was a regrettable move that would affect football but cleared the interested parties to proceed with their ill-intentions. Mulindwa said his leadership was a legitimate football administrative body put in place through the statutes acceptable to FIFA, CAF and CECAFA. He said he was happy that he leaves football at an admirable level compared to where he found it in December 2005. “Let them disband FUFA and bring whoever they want to be here but where were they when football was in a mess before we came in?” he asked.
Denies political ambitions
He refuted press allegations that he had chosen not to seek a third term as a FUFA president in order to start preparing for political elections scheduled for 2016. “I am not looking for employment…I am satisfied where I am. What can I earn from being an MP!” he wondered. Rumours were being circulated by those opposed to the current football administration that Mulindwa was eyeing Mawokota Constituency seat.
To remain supportive
Minister of Education and Sports Hon. Jesca Alupo is reportedly set to disband FUFA on Friday which move may result into a FIFA ban.
The federation boss clarified that he had not resigned but had only paved way for a new face to steer the game after August 31st this year. He pleaded to continue supporting the incoming leadership. “You don’t need to be a president to support football. I shall continue being supportive to the game” Mulindwa emphasized. The outgoing President described his next performance in football after the General assembly as being a ‘free role’ which he said would even make him more ‘dangerous in the field of play’.
Cranes Captain Andrew Mwesigwa may have his efforts put to waste on Friday as Uganda may face a ban and miss out in action against Senegal in September.
Uganda-Tanzania return leg match
The president promised to continue facilitating the Cranes team a head of the CHAN return leg against Tanzania on July 27. Uganda edged Taifa Stars 1-0 in the first leg match played in Dar es salaam City last weekend and Mulindwa rewarded the players with UGX 30m. Gate charges have been put at UGX. 25,000 and UGX 10,000 for the pavilion and open seats respectively. The match will be played in Namboole.
Cranes players celebrating their victory against Taifa stars in dar es salaam on Saturday.
Cranes central midfielder Denis Iguma’s second half goal gave Uganda Cranes a vital victory against hosts Tanzania in the CHAN first leg qualification match played in Dar es salaam National stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Uganda returns to Kampala on Sunday with a crucial victory away from home.
Outgoing Federation President Lawrence Mulindwa was inn Tanzania to watch his boys plays the Taifa Stars. FUFA Executive Committee member Calvin Okello led the Ugandan delegation.
The second leg will be played two weeks later in Kampala and Uganda will only look for a draw as the minimum result to qualify for the continental finals to be held in South Africa in January next year.
Burundi’s League giants Vital’O Football Club are the 2013 Cecafa-Kagame cup Champions.
The Burundians outsmarted three-time champions APR of Rwanda by beating them 2-0 in an epic final on Monday night at the jam-packed El Fasher Stadium here in North Darfur State.
This is Vital’O’s first ever regional title despite being the perennial Burundi representatives in the 39-year-old tournament.
Hamis Tambwe and Deo Ndayishimiye scored the two unanswered goals for Vital’O. Tambwe emerged the tournament’s best player and top scorer at six goals. His performance earned him a trophy donated by the host Governor, Mohammed Kibir.
This becomes the fourth time, Rwandese army side APR are failing to win a final game in this championship out of Kigali. In 1996 they lost 2-1 to Simba SC away in Dar es Salaam, lost 3-0 to Tusker in Nairobi in 2000 and SC Villa beat them on the same margin in Mwanza in 2005. All the three champions they have won were staged in Kigali.
In the classification game played earlier in the day, another Rwandese side Rayon Sport lost the Bronze Medal to a fired-up El Fasher club, El- Merreikh, who won the third place play-off 1-0. The Darfurians walked off with a cash prize of US$ 10,000.
This preceded the Final where a second half brace of headed goals gave Vital’O the title and emphasised the country’s recent good football performance on the international stage.
Many of the players in the Vital’O side include those that knocked out Kenya after a two-leg tie in the CHAN [African Nations Champion] qualifiers. Burundi are in the final round of the 2015 CHAN qualifiers where they will take on Sudan for a Cecafa region’s slot.
It was a colourful closing ceremony that saw a number of fireworks going up in space. Vital’O returns home with US$ 30,000 in prize money while APR takes US$ 20,000. Rwanda President Gen. Paul Kagame offered this prize money.
Eng. Moses Magogo will take over from President Lawrence Mulindwa on August 31
MOSES Magogo is unopposed in his quest to become the 27th Federation of Uganda Football Associations president.
Magogo, currently the FUFA vice president for administration, emerged as the front runner in the federation’s presidential nomination process that was concluded yesterday.
The telecommunications engineer was composed while receiving news that he had successfully completed nominations.
“There was never any doubt about my qualification. So, it is not surprising.”
He however hastily added that the presidency was a huge responsibility that he was ready to undertake.
“I have been around for some time at the top. I know areas where we have done well and need consolidating and those that require fixing.”
Magogo will next week launch his manifesto.
“We shall convert it into a working document that will guide my team in its four year term.”
Magogo takes over from Lawrence Mulindwa on August 31 at FUFA’s general assembly at the federation’s technical center in Njeru. Mulindwa took charge of local football in 2004.
Magogo beat Kampala Central MP Muhammad Nsereko and ISO Deputy Director Taban Amin in a nomination process that began last week.
“All the three aspirants met the age, nationality and academic requirements but Magogo was the only one with the required football qualifications,” explained Electoral Commission boss Patrick Okanya.
Eng. Moses Magogo is primed to become FUFA’s next President
The FUFA Electoral Commission will this Thursday hold a special session to further scrutinize the candidature of the persons that presented their nomination papers to them last week for the position of the Federation President.
The Commission Vice Chairperson and Makerere University don Vincent Sajjabbi says each candidate will have a 30-minute session with the Electoral panel in a verbal discussion during which they will also present other required documents.
Three aspirants including the current FUFA Vice President in charge of administration Eng. Moses Magogo presented their papers to the commission last week. Others are Kampala Central Member of Parliament Hon. Mohammed Nsereko and Taban Amin, son of former president late Idi Amin Dada.
Ssajjabbi however said both Amin and Nsereko submitted incomplete documents and were given time to return to the commission this Thursday with the missing information.
The required information will include the proof for their nationality, certified academic documents and documented evidence to prove that they have been in football administration for the last seven years.
After the Thursday exercise, the commission will announce the final candidates legible to contest in the elections scheduled for August 31st at Njeru Technical Centre.
Both URA and Express have qualified to play in this year’s Cecafa-Kagame club championship. Express takes on APR in the first quarter finals on Wednesday while URA plays Rayon Sport in the last fixture on Thursday.
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) wishes to inform the media and the entire public that:
1. It’s true the FUFA President Mr. Lawrence Mulindwa on Monday addressed his Executive Committee members at FUFA House and hinted on his intentions not to seek another term of office in the forthcoming elections scheduled for 30th August 2013.
2. An official statement to this effect will be released to the public if found necessary in the near future.
3. The President’s decision to opt out of football administration [if later confirmed] is however purely a personal choice and he is not succumbing to any pressure.
4. The Media is therefore requested to avoid creating statements that may damage the personality of the President or put him in conflict with any other party or individuals.
Joseph Kabagambe (right) in action against Rwanda’s APR FC
Uganda Cranes midfielder Joseph Kabagambe was a starter and key player as his club El-Merreikh played to a 1-all draw against APR in the fourth match of group ‘A’ of the Cecafa-Kagame Cup going on here in Darfur.
The results put APR at four points and became the first club to qualify for this year’s quarter finals. Speaking about the game, Kabagambe said he was doing his best to win a call back into the Cranes team. “I shall continue working hard……I know Micho will one time call me back. I am still ready to play for my country”, he said.
Uganda League champions Express FC returns to action today against Rwandese giants Rayon Sport FC in a match they have to win or pick a point to create chances of advancing to the knockout stage of this year’s Cecafa-Kagame Club Championship.
Express played to a goalless draw against Djibouti’s Ports FC in their group ‘B’ opening match as Rayon Sport also all drew 3-3 with Electric FC, a guest club from Chad. The Ugandan side created many chances at the goal mouth but on many occasions shot off target. Coach Wasswa Bbosa has however promised ‘a better approach’ to today’s game.
In Kadguli stadium, Al-Hilal that lost their first game to URA takes on Al-Ahly Shandi in a match that determines the two group winners. URA with 3 points have since Thursday pitched camp in Khartoum City as they await the results in today’s game.
In yesterday’s fixtures, stubborn Elman FC from the war ravaged Somalia forced a 1-1 draw against favorites Vital’O of Burundi. The Somalis were awarded a penalty in the 86th minute which was converted by striker Jibril Hassan Mohammed. Vital’O had earlier scored through Amis Tambwe in the 40th minute.
In the second game, Uganda’s Joseph Kabagambe was a starter for El-Merreikh against APR and was a key player as the two clubs shared points after a 1-all draw. APR with 4 points from two games became the first club to qualify for the quarter finals.
Former Proline FC mid fielder Andrew Butera featured for APR.
URA’s Goalkeeper Yasin Mugabi fights for an aerial ball against an opponent in Kadguli stadium
Express FC failed to impress during their first game when they registered a goalless draw against lowly ranked Ports FC at El-Fasher stadium on Thursday afternoon.
Elsewhere URA succumbed to pressure in the dying minutes of the game to lose it 1-0 to Al-Ahly Shandi away in Kadguli.
CECAFA organizing committee will not pronounce itself on the two qualifying clubs from the Kadguli based group ‘C’ until the last match is played on Saturday.
The results of Saturday’s fixture between home boys Al- Hilal (Kadguli) and Al- Ahly Shandi from Khartoum will determine the occupants of the two slots into this year’s Cecafa-Kagame quarter finals. The winners will be airlifted to El-Fashir City where all knockout matches will be hosted.
URA who won their opening match against Al-Hilal 1-0 on Tuesday lost on the same margin to Al-Ahly Shandi yesterday. This leaves the group into serious mathematics in determining the two qualifying clubs.
Cecafa General secretary Nicholas Musonye on Thursday arranged a special flight for URA FC immediately after their last group stage match and they are currently camped in Khartoum until after tomorrow’s match.
If Al-Ahly Shandi beats Al-Hilal on any margin, URA and Shandi will automatically advance to the next round and a draw of any kind still leaves the same two clubs in advantageous positions. In case of a win for Al-Hilal with more than a goal without conceding any, then they qualify with URA and leave Shandi out.
The worst scenario will however emerge when Al-Hilal wins with a 1-0 margin. This will imply that the organizing committee determines the two qualifiers on a toss of a coin since all the three clubs will have won and lost their matches on the same margins.
URA only needed to force a draw against Shandi in yesterday’s match to get out of this mathematics but succumbed to pressure in the dying minutes of the game. They now have to keep their hands crossed for the results that favour their qualification.
Inn today’s fixture, Vital’O plays Elman as Rwandese army side APR takes on homeboys El-Merreikh in El-Fasher main stadium.
5:00 pm: Electric sport Vs Rayon sport (El-Fasher)
Some of the youthful fans that watch the Cecafa matches here in El-Fasher City
Express FC will take on Ports FC from Djibouti this Thursday afternoon in the first match of group ‘B’ of the Cecafa-Kagame Club Championship here at El-Fasher stadium in the Sudanese State of North Darfur.
Like URA, Express will also go into their first group match without its head coach Sam Simbwa. Sources here indicate that the proud technician reportedly set tough demands that included an allowance of USD 1800 for him to travel with the club to Sudan.
Other reliable sources further indicate that Simbwa has already signed a contract to join Police FC, a premier league club in Rwanda. With such information, some Express officials interpreted his stay with the club in Sudan as ‘useless’ since he had no future with them.
By yesterday evening, club officials in Kampala were still making the necessary arrangements to replace Simbwa and talks were going on between them and Coach Frank ‘Video’ Anyau. Cecafa officials based in Darfur were informed of this development and intentions to replace Simbwa.
Cecafa General Secretary Nicholas Musonye conformed having communicated to the operations offices in Khartoum to change Simbwa’s ticket and replace him with Anyau. “I have already informed Hisham [an official with Sudan FA] to make the change and forward a ticket to Kampala” Musonye stated. It is not however clear, if Simbwa had not already got the first ticket.
In today’s match, assistant coach Wasswa Bbosa is expected to be in charge of the club’s technical bench as officials in Kampala continue sorting out their administrative matters. When contacted, Wasswa sounded optimistic of picking the good results from today’s fixture. “All my players are ok. We have no injuries and we were able to train both in the morning and afternoon” he explained.
Express was one of the eight clubs based in El-Fasher City that were hosted to a dinner last evening by Governor Osman Mohamed Yousif Kibir. The colourful event was held at the Governor’s palace located within the city centre.
In Kadguli City, URA returns to action today against Al-Ahly Shandi. The Uganda tax boys will only be looking for a draw in this game to book a place in the quarter finals.
