FUFA: Federation of Uganda Football Associations

Author: FUFA

  • Bell Cup:USL clubs land ‘easy’ fixtures

    Uganda Super Division Clubs have this Thursday morning landed ‘favourable’ fixtures in the round of 16 draws democratically conducted at Ivys Hotel here in Kamapala City.

    At this colourful function, the tournament sponsors, East African Breweries Limited (EABL) Uganda were represented by their Brand Manager, Dianah Nsubuga. FUFA Vice President in charge of Technical matters Livingstone Kyambadde stood in for the federation President Lawrence Mulindwa.

    The draw results will have the 2011 National League Champions and Bell-Uganda Cup finalists, URA travelling to Kasana Ground to play Luweero United FC on Tuesday March 27. On the same day another Super Division club Maroons FC hosts Aurum Roses as Bunamwaya SC travels to Namboole to play lowly ranked Misindye, a Fufa Big League club. Masaka LC hosts Victors at Masaka Recreational Ground the same Tuesday.

    A week earlier on March 20, SC Villa will have played Mbarara Old Timers in Nakivubo with Uganda Police hosting Boroboro Tigers in Namboole on March 29. Kireka United, a Kampala Regional League club will host Jinja Municipality which features in the FUFA Big League at Kyambogo University ground on Saturday march 31.

    In his speech read out for him by the Vice President in charge of technical matters Livingstone Kyambadde , the FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa hailed the sponsors for choosing an upcountry ground to host this year’s finals. The finals will be played at Pece stadium in Gulu district on June 12. Mulindwa further called on the football fans in Uganda to EABL back by identifying with and consuming Bell Lager. EABL’s Dianah Nsubuga said they were committed to supporting football development in the country.

    The function was also attended by the Cranes Head Coach Bobby Williamson, a delegation from the East African Breweries limited (EABL) Uganda and club officials among others.

  • The Player Strike an opportunity to Understand the League Economics

    The players’ strike is another testimony that a lot is yet to be done to get a full professional football industry in Uganda. Education and sensitization of how the industry should operate needs to be more explicit as the fans, the players, the media, the administrators, the regulators and government are yet to understand the concept. The amateur football was here for too long for us to suddenly jump into the deep waters of professional football. I have cautioned before that not many people understand the concept yet the biggest problem is that most of the trusted commentators do not know that they actually don’t know

    Professional football is a business equation where human, time and financial resources are invested into a process to create a football product that is bought at a higher fee than the cost of input. The human resource is composite of players, coaches, referees, administrators or more generally other professional and support staff to the process. The buyers of the product are the fans while the club owners are the investors into this process. FUFA are regulators to enforce association football rules while USL are the business conglomerate of clubs to package the football product to be good enough for the buyers.

    The question is, of the mentioned parties, who is really doing anything close to their expectations? Are they even aware of this business equation? Are our coaches and players aware that they must contribute to the income of the clubs? Professional football has nothing like a rich man investing his personal money into a club or even an institution club like URA FC investing funds from elsewhere into the club. Actually in Europe it is outlawed to use funds not earned from selling a football product into a club

    I wish to live a dream of a player plying his trade in Uganda earning from his talent like it is in Europe but we must all work to earn the dream. Let us face the reality, the players are paid very meagerly and I deeply share their concern but where should their pay come from? If all the Sponsorship money went into paying players, thus 68 million per club for 25 players for 12 months, each player would earn 226,667 UGX before NSSF and PAYE.

    The picture is better represented in the table herein as the MINIMUM budget for a club to complete its fixtures over a season

     

    I am aware there are clubs that are paying for lunch every day for the 25 players and paying housing allowance for the rent of the players in addition to their salaries. As we speak, there is only one source of funds for clubs and that is Sponsorship. If we think the 68 million shillings from the sponsors was to be offset, where is the UGX 82 million to run the club to coming from? Commentators are painting a situation where someone is earning off the sweat of players yet the truth is someone is spending hard earned personal cash into a club. Owning a football club is an addiction more like gambling or drugs well aware that it is a danger to your person but you continue to spend. Do you know why the former big cub spenders (read rehabilitated) former club official like Omar Mandela and Kirumira never come back? It is ironical that even some “fans” who do not watch club games are saying the players should be paid at least xxx amounts.

    In a professional environment, the clubs would be earning from gate collections, media rights, club sponsorships, prize monies, sale of players, merchandising etc but we are all aware that currently none of the above is a source of revenue to clubs. We should actually be grateful to men like Col Jackson Tushabe Bells (Victors), Lawrence Mulindwa (Bunamwaya), the men at Express, SC Villa, and the institutions that provide the funds to clubs. The last league game to make worth gate collection was in 2003 and the stadia have been empty since then, so where has the money to run these clubs been coming from. I implore all critics of the clubs and sympathizers of the players to get their calculators before they point figures. The current USL football economy is retrogressive and growing in negative double digit percentage.

    Having said that, the players have genuine issues that we must all accept. First and foremost there must be VALID contracts between players and clubs. The standard contract content and formatting should be included, the players should understand the contracts they are signing and copies should be given to players too. It is also important that clubs fulfill their obligations however little it may be. Let clubs accept players to be properly represented in contract discussions by persons of their choice. This has nothing to do with money.

    I further implore the players to appreciate that the business equation of the league. They are required to cause income to clubs for them to be paid better. Without revenue to clubs, all they are demanding for is someone to get money from his pocket to pay them on top of providing an environment for them to play football. Players should further desist from being used by football politicians and vultures who have a different agenda. The valid concerns are watered down by demanding for FUFA officials’ resignation and stopping league games. Even in Spain and Italy, it had to be done during the off-season.

    On the side of FUFA, we demanded that the clubs undergo a club licensing process and one of the conditions was valid players’ contracts. The officials at USL resisted and undermined the exercise and for example Express SC did not submit any single contract and was not eligible to play in the league by rules. Our issues to date with USL have been undermining football rules.

    All in all, FUFA has an obligation to ensure that players and the clubs are protected. Personally I think the matter of local player agents should have taken root by this time.

    About the Author: Magogo is the Vice president of FUFA in charge of Administration and a FIFA certified Administration Instructor. Besides Football, he is an Engineer working with African Development Bank )

  • Gulu to host Bell-Uganda Cup finals

    Bell-Uganda Cup sponsors in conjunction with FUFA will have this year’s finals held upcountry in Pece Stadium, Gulu district on May 12. This will be the first time in the near history to have this function out of Kampala City.

    The sponsors and the organizers have already inspected the facilities in Gulu that will host this major event. The first leg of the semi finals is scheduled for April 24 while the return leg goes for the weekend of 28-29 of the same month. The program gives the finalists ample time to prepare for the big clash. The quarter finals have been fixed on April 7-8.

    The draws for the round of 16 will be held this Thursday at Ivys Hotel in Wakaliga starting 10am. The clubs that advanced to this round of 16 include two regional teams; Luweero united FC (Buganda) and Kireka United FC of Kampala region. Six others are FUFA Big League clubs some of which trounced Super Division clubs to qualify to this stage. They include Old Timers, Misindye, Jinja Municipality, CRO, Boroboro Tigers and Aurum Roses FC.

    Out of the 15 Super Division clubs, only 8 survived humiliation and will play in the next stage. These are Water, Victors, URA, SC Villa, Uganda Police, Masaka LC, Bunamwaya and Maroons.

  • Uganda’s Hippos to play Rwanda’s Junior Wasps

    The Uganda U20 team, the Hippos will have a second test of the Rwanda’s Junior Wasps in another international friendly match on Wednesday March 21.

    The two youthful sides settled for a 1-all draw in Kigali on February 28 and will now meet in Kampala for the return leg of their international friendly. Both nations are preparing for the CAF Africa U20 Championship due in April. Uganda plays Mozambique on the weekend of April 20-22 while Rwanda travels to Namibia on the same date.

    Charges for the open and covered stands have been uniformly put at Shs.3000 only and Shs.10.000 for the pavilion. Secondary and primary school students dressed in uniforms will access the stadium at no cost. Five new faces have been included on the list that starts training this Saturday in Wankulukuku stadium. They include Kigonya Matia (Misindye), Jjuuko Maurishid , Bukenya Deus, Wadada Nicholas (Bunamwaya) and Bagole Kasule David (BiDCO).

    Others are Goal keepers Mugabi Alex (Simba) and Akol Emmanuel from Maroons. The defenders are Makoba Denis, Namwanja Simon, Wasswa Hassan (ELS Academy-Entebbe), Kasadha Lawrence (SC Villa) and Mukisa Yusufu (Proline). The list of midfielders has Gigi Ali (Proline), Aucho Khalid (Simba),Tuliraba Alex (Maroons), Nkata Fred (Bombo United), Achoma Robert, Katenda Hamis (SC Villa), Mutyaba Muzamir (Maroons).

    Goal scorer in Kigali Opio George Abega (Maroons) will leads the list of strikers who included Said Kyeyune (URA), Wadri William (Proline), Ocho Brian (Maji) and Opolot Martin from Bombo United FC. Paul Nkata, Abdallah Mubiru and Steven Kiggundu are in charge of Uganda’s technical bench.
    End

  • St. Juliana edge Kawempe 8-7 to lift Cup

    St Juliana High school-Gayaza emerged Champions of the schools’ category FUFA organized Women’s day Football Tournament that ran for three days and concluded yesterday at Old Kampala Secondary School.
    St. Juliana beat traditional Kawempe Muslim secondary school 8-7 in spot kicks after playing to a goalless draw in the mandatory 90 minutes. The winners walked away with a Cash Prize of UG Shs.500, 000/= and a trophy. First runners-up Kawempe Muslim received Shs.300, 000/= in cash prize.
    Kampala United lifted the open Club Championship after converting all their five penalties against three by Makerere University club. This particular final comprised Crested Cranes play makers on both sides. Kampala United went home with Shs. 200,000/=.
    Jolly Primary school won the primary schools’ trophy after beating Kazo Primary school 1-0 in the finals to take home a cash prize of 100,000/=. The money for cash prizes was a donation from St Juliana Secondary school Director Mr. Jeff Sserunjogi who is also a FUFA delegate.
    Akol Tracy of St Juliana High school was voted the best player. A total of 40 teams participated.
    (Story compiled by Kenneth Muwanga).

  • FUFA News Round up, March 7

    3 to sit player agents’ exams

    The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has short listed three applicants for the player Agents examinations scheduled for March 29. The successful candidates are John Nsambu Chrysostom, James Ofong and Musa Kizito. The trio will have to answer 20 questions, five of which will be locally set and the rest from FIFA. The Federation education officer, Mr. Lubega Byuma William will be in charge of the examinations.

    Women’s day tournament on

    Uganda Women Football Association in conjunction with FUFA have organized an annual March 8th international women’s day football tournament that will attract a total of 30 clubs between 8th and 10th of this month. The identified groups are U14, U19 and the open category that will draw participants from clubs, universities and tertiary institutions among others. The venues are Old Kampala and Mengo secondary school grounds. The finals will be staged in Nakivubo. FUFA will fund the tournament.

    Masembe to conduct referees’ course

    CAF instructor, Charles Masembe will this coming Sunday, March 11, 2011 conduct a referees’ refresher course at the federation headquarters in Mengo starting 8 o’clock. All referees that officiate the Bell Uganda super league and the FUFA Big League have been directed to attend. The one day training will mainly cover the areas of self management and the interpretation and application of the football laws.

    Beach soccer calendar out

    The Uganda Beach Football Association has released an activity calendar for this year. The registration of players that started on 1st march closes on Sunday this week while the round one of the league flags off on March 18 at Lido Beach Entebbe. The first edition of the National women Beach soccer is scheduled between 21-22 April. Three days have been earmarked for the Post-Primary National Beach competition between 15-17. The U13 competition runs in August, the inter University tournament rolls off on October 6 and there will be a National Beach symposium on December 1 before a National Corporate Beach Soccer competition between Dec 8-9.

    USL clubs in fight against Malaria

    Five Uganda Super League clubs have signed a partnership to join an international campaign in the fight against Malaria. Bunamwaya SC, Hoima-Busia, Bidco, Simba SC and Proline FC officials received branded warm-up kits, balls and bibs from the United Against Malaria (UAM) team leader in Uganda, Kenneth Mulondo from the federation headquarters in Mengo today morning. UAM teram will be in Bombo on Friday in their continued efforts to create awareness and galvanise commitment to end malaria death by 2015, a target date set by the United Nations.

  • Mutumba arrives, joins camp

    The long awaited Ugandan – Sweden based player Kayongo Mutumba Martin is in the country to boost up the Cranes’ preparations ahead of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo Brazzaville next week.

    On arrival at Entebbe International Airport aboard Ethiopian airlines on Saturday afternoon, Mutumba was received by FUFA Spokesperson, Rogers Mulindwa. “ I am honoured to be called upon to serve my country. I promise to offer my best if given a chance” Mutumba told the press before leaving Entebbe for Kampala. He added, “I plead to whoever is concerned to speed up the process of producing my passport. I shall be disappointed when I don’t play”

    He straight away went to the training camp at Mandela National stadium where head coach Bobby Williamson officially introduced him to the newly appointed team captain Andy Mwesigwa and thereafter joined the rest of the team for an afternoon training.

    FUFA Head of communications, Rogers Mulindwa said Mutumba will travel with the team this night as the process of securing his Ugandan passport continues. “We are taking 19 players hoping that his passport will be produced on Monday and we fly it to Brazzaville the following day” Mulindwa explained. The match is scheduled for Wednesday.

  • 12 Pros in, Massa out, Okwi coming

    Cranes striker Geoffrey Massa has been ruled out of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers match against Congo due in Brazzaville City next Wednesday.

    The Cranes technical bench has summoned Tanzania based Simba SC striker Emmanuel Okwi to join camp immediately as a potential replacement of Massa. Okwi is expected in camp this afternoon.

    Training started off this Friday at Namboole stadium with nine professional players and three home based players in camp. Those who attended the morning training session included Wasswa Hassan, Oloya Moses, Mawejje Tonny, Ochan Patrick, Sserumaga Mike, Sserunkuuma Geofrey, Isinde Isaac, Musa Mudde, Wagaluka Dan and Kavuma Habib.

    The home players were Kalungi Henry, Kimera Ali and Guma Denis. Steven Bengo, Walusimbi Godfrey and Masaba Simeon did not show up. Meanwhile new Cranes captain Andy Mwesigwa and Brian Umony have arrived. Denis Onyango, Abel Dhaira and Mutumba Martin are expected this Saturday.

  • State of Mutumba Martin’s passport file

    Dear Stakeholders

    By mid-day this Friday, there were no signs that the Passport office in the ministry of internal affairs would really issue a Ugandan passport to the Sweden based Cranes player, Kayongo Mutumba Martin!

    The federation submitted all the necessary documents to the concerned offices early February and the file was shortly forwarded to the legal department where it has remained to-date. Among the documents we were required to submit included proof from Martin’s parents indicating that they had Ugandan roots.

    Kayongo Mutumba Joseph, the biological father to Martin availed us with his baptism certificate and his Advanced School level certificate from St. Henry’s College Kitovu as part of the proof among other documents. The baptism certificate shows that Mutumba’s father was baptized from Kitovu on February 22, 1952 by Rev. Fr. Leonard Lule and issued a card No. 2378. All these copies were attached.

    FUFA invited Mutumba to Uganda and in company of his real mother Mary Kayongo Mutumba, he was physically presented to the passport offices and submitted a hand written application requesting to be allowed receive a Ugandan passport and play for his country. He also filled forms ‘A’, ‘AA’ and ‘B’ as required by the Uganda citizenship and immigration control Act 3 -1999 on top of taking the oath of allegiance before the commissioner for oath.

    The Swedish Ambassador in Uganda verified Martin’s passport and clarified that duo citizenship was acceptable in Sweden. He was later taken for medical examinations to check on his mental stability.

    The Federation was later asked to produce a criminal record clearance from Interpol in Sweden which was done and taken to Makerere institute of Languages for interpretation since it was in Swedish language. The player was found to have committed no crimes that bar him from acquiring duo citizenship.

    We were assured that what had remained was the board to sit and decide whether Martin really deserved a dual citizenship. I have since kept checking on this file almost daily and engaged different personalities including sports minister Charles Bakabulindi who has offered some help. To my surprise, this Friday February 24 it was discovered that nothing much had been done on the file and it remained on a desk of one of the officers unattended to.

    In the presence of the NCS General Secretary Jasper Aligawesa, Mutumba’s file was today retrieved from this officer’s fully packed desk with indications that we needed to provide more documents linking Martin to his parents. By the time of receiving this new instruction for another requirement, Mutumba was already on his way to Entebbe.

    I have however communicated the developments to Martin’s parents in Sweden and an effort is being made to have them swear an affidavit before a honorable court proving that they are the rightful parents of Martin. I am in touch with them and I am yet to receive that document. It’s however notable that the team will leave on Monday morning and the passport offices don’t work over the weekend.

    As an officer assigned to work on this particular case I have found it necessary to give you these updates as I continue pushing for this document.

    The struggle continues!

    ROGERS MULINDWA
    HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS
    Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA)

  • Mutumba in a road accident, arrival delayed

    Mutumba in action in Sweden

    Sweden based Cranes- bound player Kayongo Mutumba Martin was on Thursday afternoon involved in a motor accident as he drove to the airport in Stockholm City for a flight to Uganda.

    Mutumba who plays for AIK FC, a premier League team in Sweden is part of the 22 man squad summoned by Coach Bobby Williamson a head of the Congo Afcon game on February 29. “But I am happy that I was not injured” said the player who missed the flight as police recorded statements of the incident.

    An over speeding vehicle rammed into Mutumba’s car and hit him in the sides leaving his car damaged and part of his property spoilt. Mutumba was scheduled to arrive here this Friday but he will now come on Saturday afternoon. His car was badly damaged but the accused reportedly pledged to meet the costs for all the repairs.

    Mutumba said the driver of the other car looked drunk because he could smell alcohol from his vehicle. “His vehicle still had no snow tyres to protect him on the slippery snow- covered roads” Mutumba explained

  • Baingana joins Amavubi as Hippos starts training today

    Off to Rwanda: Baingana

    UGANDA Super League and Express FC key player Bonny Baingana is already in Kigali undergoing training with Rwanda’s national team, Amavubi in preparation for their Africa Cup on Nations qualifiers match against Nigeria mid next week.

    Baingana had earlier been summoned to the Uganda Hippos camp that prepares for an international friendly match against Rwanda on February 28 but opted to travel to Kigali. The Hippos start training this Tuesday at Nakivubo stadium. Baingana travelled with Charles Tibingana Mwesigye featuring for Proline FC here in Uganda and the two have been described as ‘a big boost’ to the Amavubi camp.

    On arrival of the two Ugandan based players, Rwanda head coach Milutin Micho said, “The camp is now full with the presence of such professional players. APR and SC Kiyovu players are also in camp after their continental engagements with their clubs.”

    Uganda Federation CEO, Edgar Watson said he was due to cross check his records to establish whether the two players had been cleared and were in Rwanda on acceptable terms. He however added, “If Baingana is both Ugandan and a Rwandese, he has the right to decide where to go but the concern here is whether FERWAFA acted through the right procedures”

    FERWAFA with direct support from the Rwandese government launched a world-wide campaign of tracing all foreign based  players with a Rwandese link to lure them to Kigali and play for Amavubi. The campaign started immediately after their exit from last year’s qualifiers. France-based striker Elias Uzamukunda who plays for second division side AS Cannes will join camp before the end of this week.

    Meanwhile Andrew Butera who is currently undergoing rehabiulitation from France after an operation is steadily recovering according to the information reaching our desk. Butera, a Proline FC player crossed over to Amavubi in 2008.

     

  • Referee Diana Mukasa for ‘World Cup’

    FIFA Assistant Referee Diana Mukasa

    Uganda’s female FIFA assistant referee, Diana Mukasa has been selected to officiate in the Algarve women Cup 2012 that kicks off on February 29 in Portugal.

    Algarve Cup is an annual tournament that attracts first class women footballing nations across the world. Mukasa is the first referee in east, central and southern Africa to land this invitation. Africa has had only three referees invited to this year’s tournament. The two others are centre referee Aissata Amegge from Togo and Alglago Emmanuella, an assistant referee from Ghana. Mukasa says it’s a big opportunity to her as an individual and the country at large. “I shall offer my best in order to open up more chances for such future invitations in Uganda and the rest of Africa”, said the continent’s second best ranked assistant referee.

    Mukasa promises better perfomance in Portugal

    A total of eight world class nations and four other selected teams will participate in this year’s tournament. Group A and B have the strongest ranked teams believed to be in contention to win the title. Group ‘A’ has China, Germany, Iceland and Sweden while group ‘B’ has Denmark, Norway, United States and Japan the current world Cup Champions. The group winners from ‘A’ and ‘B’ will contest the final with the runners up playing for third place and those finishing third in these two groups playing for the fifth place.

    The teams in group ‘C’ that include Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Portugal and Wales will be playing tor places 7-12. The winner in this group will take on the team that finishes 4th in group ‘A’ or ‘B’ with the better record for the 7th position and the runners-up from the same group ‘C’ will play the team that comes last in group ‘A’ or ‘B’ with the worse record for the 9th position. The 3rd and 4th teams in group ‘C’ play for the eleventh place. On February 29th, World Cup champions Japan takes on Norway in an opener before America plays Denmark the same day.  The tournament ends March 7th.

     

  • Massa to miss Cranes match against Egypt

    Massa celebrating with teamates

    Cyprus based Ugandan professional player, Geoffrey Massa has been ruled out of next Saturday’s international friendly match against Egypt. The player will however be in Congo for the Afcon qualification match.

    The Cranes Head Coach, Bobby Williamson told a technical meeting that sat at Mandela National stadium this Saturday evening that the striker will have a club match on the same date Uganda engages Egypt. In a related development, the absence of the Ethiopian based trio of Isaac Isinde, Mike Sserumaga and Sula Matovu has also been confirmed. St. George, a club they play for that narrowly missed the league title last season will also be busy on the pitch next weekend.  The Federation has however learnt of the planned move by St. George to block the same players for the Congo match on February 29.

    The federation has petitioned the continental football body, CAF for an intervention. The Cranes team is expected to leave for Egypt next Tuesday. The friendly match will not be played from the country’s main city of Cairo but from Gouna stadium, Hurghada within the Red Sea Resort City.

    The travelling players will include Dhaira Abel, Ali Kimera, Habib Kavuma, Dan Wagaluka, Mike Mutyaba, Simeon Masaba, Denis Guma, Bengo Steven, Kalungi Henry, Tonny Mawejje, Geoffrey Sserunkuuma and Umony Brian.  Others are Captain Andy Mwesigwa, Kayongo Mutumba Martin, Oloya Moses, Ochan Patrick, Mude Musa, Walusimbi Godfrey, Wasswa Hassan and Okwi Emmanuel. The team will connect direct from Cairo to Brazzaville on Sunday morning.

  • Uganda Cranes lines up Pros against Egypt

    Abel Dhaira will be in charge in abscence of Onyango

    It’s now confirmed that the Uganda National Football team, The Cranes will play Egypt in an international friendly match on February 25 in Cairo.

    Our official match agents, Sport Global Management based in Geneva with a regional coordination office in Nairobi have confirmed the development with a letter coming from the Egyptian Federation.

    “We have the pleasure to inform you that we confirm to play a friendly international match against Uganda on February 25” reads part of the letter emailed to FUFA through our agents. The letter is signed by Mr. Anwar Saleh, the team’s Executive Manager.

    Emmanuel Okwi (right) put up a brilliant show during the 2011 Cecafa title in Dar and he will be part of the team to Cairo

    The weekend encounter will be the last game before Uganda plays Congo Brazzaville in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers match fixed for February 29. Coach Bobby Williamson has lined up a team of 21 players expected in Cairo on February 22. Only five of the invitees are playing at home. The list has Abel Dhaira (Iceland), Ali Kimera, Simeon Masaba, Massa Geoffrey (Cyprus), Sserunkuuma Geoffrey (South Africa), Steven Bengo (Uganda), Mike Mutyaba (Sudan), Emmanuel Okwi (Tanzania), Tonny Mawejje (South Africa), Henry Kalungi (USA), Mudde Musa (Kenya) and Andy Mwesigwa (Khazerstan).

    Others are Wagaluka Dan (Rwanda), Habib Kavuma (Rwanda), Oloya Moses (Vietnam), Ochan Patrick (DR Congo), Walusimbi Godfrey (Uganda), Wasswa Hassan (Turkey), Guma Denis (Uganda), Umony Brian (Vietnam) and Kayongo Mutumba Martin (Sweden). Cranes first choice custodian Onyango Denis (South Africa) whose club plays a league match on February 24 will miss the Egypt game but joins the team later for Congo. The Ethiopian based trio of Mike Sserumaga, Sula Matovu and Isaac Isinde are also doubtful following their club engagements but will later travel to Brazzaville.

    Egypt has lined up two friendly matches before their mid week continental match. They will host Kenya’s Harambee stars on February 22 before taking on Uganda three days later.

  • Hippos to play Rwanda, Feb 28

    Express FC's Bonny Baingana is one of the expected call ups

    The Uganda U20 National team, The Hippos has landed an invitation to play an international friendly match against Rwanda counterparts on February 28 away in Kigali.

    The Federation has accepted the invitation and the team starts training on Tuesday, February 21 at Nakivubo stadium. FUFA Vice President in charge of USL, Mujib Kasule and the CEO Edgar Watson, have both described the invitation as ‘an opportunity to both the hosts and the guests’. “We are automatically taking up the offer and hope our boys will have a good test in Kigali” Kasule said.

    Edgar said the invitations from both Rwanda (U20) and South Sudan (for the senior team on March 4-5) were clear indicators that Uganda was taking an exemplary positive trend in football development in the region. He added that the technical team would name the squad later in the week.

    Rwanda FA General Secretary, Gasingwa Michael said the match would be a good build up a head of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations qualification games slated to start in April this year. Both Rwanda and Uganda have showed interest to participate in this continental tournament.

    The Ugandan contingent of 18 players and 7 officials is expected to leave Kampala on February 25 and return home a day after the game.

    Paul Nkata and Proline’s Head Coach Abdullah Mubiru were recently appointed to handle this under age team and this will be their first official assignment.

     

  • ‘Mawejje acquires work permit’

    Tonny Mawejje in action against Taifa Stars of Tanzania

    Cranes skilled midfielder Tonny Mawejje has allegedly acquired a working permit to allow him play in South Africa. A reliable source in Johannesburg has revealed.

    Mawejje who signed a two year contract at Golden Arrows FC this year is expected to feature in the South African premier League soon.

    According to team coach Muhsin Ertugral, Mawejje will be available for selection ahead of their game against Bloemfontein Celtic after he receiving this work-permit.

    Mawejje was recruited along with Ivorian goalkeeper Loboue during the January transfer window.

    Mawejje will be part of the Cranes Squad expected in the Country earlier next week to prepare for the Qualifying game against Congo away in Brazzaville on February 29.

  • The Cranes starts preparations for S/Sudan clash

    Denis Guma is yet to join camp

    The Cranes on Saturday started their five day training sessions ahead of their international friendly match against Southern Sudan scheduled for February 16.

    A total of 20 players reported for the morning’s training at Namboole Stadium under the head coach, Bobby Williamson.

    Impressing for his first was Israel Emuge the KCC FC defender who looked confident throughout the Training session partnering with Henry Kalungi.

    Bobby said is happy with Emuge and Henry Kalungi saying they were good replacements in case one of his first team players was not available and promised to follow up their performances for the next few days they are to train as a whole  team.

    Cranes is expected to leave Kampala on Wednesday for Juba. The players reported for the first training included Hamza Muwonge,Ali Kimera, Henry Kalungi, Isreal Emuge, Saaka Mpiima, Alex Kakuba, Godfrey Walusimbi,Gift Ali, Denis Guma, Wadada Nicholas, Richard Luyima, Isma Kazibwe, Kizito Luwaga, Gerald Bagoole, Morris Okello,Willy Kavuma,Kakembo Jimmy, Ceasor Okhuti

    (Story filed by Kenneth Muwanga)

  • Kizito quits, pledges moral support to Cranes

    Kizito in action against Kenya last year

    Nestroy Kizito Joseph, one of the talented Uganda Cranes’ senior players has officially retired from national team football to pave way for the young talents.

    Kizito made an official communication to FUFA on February 9, 2012. “I wish to inform you that I have decided to retire from the Ugandan National team football” reads part of his letter. He was however happy that the federation had granted him a chance to play for his country.

    “I am very happy for the last ten years I have played for the Cranes team and I wish to inform you that I shall keep supporting this national team and the Federation itself in all the campaigns to come” writes Kizito a talented lefter. He further praised the federation for making him what he is today and for being organized despite the failure to qualify for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

    “I wouldn’t be where I am today in life if it wasn’t for the national team and FUFA and for that reason, I wish to thank the federation, my fellow players and the team officials for the support towards my career in football”, he further writes.

    As to why he has chosen to quit, Kizito said he wanted to create space for the young talents. “The reason as to why I have made this decision is because I want to give way for the young and talented players that we have in our country”, he explained in his letter mailed to FUFA.

    Kizito was optimistic that the young players he leaves behind were talented enough to push Uganda to a better level in future. “I wish you all the best in all that you do and I pray that you qualify for the next Africa Cup of Nations”, concludes Kizito’s letter.

    Kizito in tears after the Cranes failed to qualify

    The federation wishes to thank Kizito for the ten years he has featured for the Cranes. He has been a dependable left back and his presence on the team was always instrumental and his discipline on the pitch very commendable. We also commend the spirit under which he choose to retire from international football. The federation will always remember the good deeds of him and contact him for guidance to the young players whenever need arises.

    Kizito’s ambitions to join the Scottish side St. Mirren hit a snag. He is now a free agent since parting ways with Serbian giants Partizan Belgrade in November 2011