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The FIFA Football For Schools Programme in Uganda was officially launched on Tuesday at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.

The closing ceremony was graced by FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim who was in the company of FUFA First Vice President Justus Mugisha, FUFA Executive Committee Member Ronnie Kalema, FUFA CEO Edgar Watson and FUFA Deputy CEO-Football Decolas Kizza.

Assistant Commissioner Physical Education and Sports in the Ministry of Education and Sports, Sammy Odongo also attended the function.

FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer Henry Honore Jean Marie and FIFA Member Association Africa Regional Coordinator Sousa Silmara who have been part of the programme since the first day also attended the closing event.

FUFA President lauded FIFA for this initiative and believes the Programme will go a long way in addressing mass football participation in the country.

“We want to thank FIFA for this Programme because our intention as FUFA is make sure that every young boy and girl has access to playing football. In our Technical Master Plan, we have put keen attention to mass football and there is no better way to do it than having school-going children,” he said before adding that “ having games teachers learn football helps us to pass our message to the pupils easily because they interact regularly and it becomes effective in having more children attracted to the game.”

FIFA Chief Member Association Officer Henry Honore Jean Marie explained that the intention of this Programme is to teach children life skills through football.

“We know that football has a great impact on society and the belief we have at FIFA is that we can instill life skills to children through football. That is why we have partnered with UNESCO to extend this Programme to our Member Associations in collaboration with the Government through the Ministry of Education and Sports.” He indicated.

”We have prepared content that the Games Teachers will use to teach the students both the technical and life skill aspects.”

Odongo stated that Ministry of Education and Sports will follow up with the Programme to make sure that the message is cascaded to every part of the country.

The Programme started on Sunday with 50 Games teachers from Primary Schools across the country enrolling for a football workshop for the first two days.

Games Teachers were taken through the basics of life skills, game preparations, children safw guarding, emotional control and team work among others.

These will become trainers and FUFA will use them to extend the message to other parts of the country by holding regional workshops.

During the Workshop, Games Teachers were tasked to open up accounts on the FIFA Football For Schools App where educational content is shared and this will guide them in executing and preparing for their training sessions.

It should noted that the Programme considers school-going children between the age of 4-14 who are mainly in Primary Schools.

FIFA supports the Programme with a one-off funding of $50,000 and 66, 260 balls that will be distributed to Primary Schools across the country.

The FIFA Football For Schools Programme in Uganda climaxed with a festival at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru where Games Teachers demonstrated what they had learnt.

Over 120 pupils (both boys and girls) from Naminya UMEA Primary School took part in the festival.

The FUFA Football For Schools Programme entered day two on Monday with participants undergoing both theoretical and practical sessions.

Under the tutelage of FIFA Football For Schools Manager Antonio Buenano Sanchez and FIFA Technical Consultant Alberto Giacomini, the games teachers were taught life skills, Children safeguard and several technical aspects among others.

The participants later sat for an examination and were awarded certificates of participation by FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer Kenny Honore Jean Marie and FUFA CEO Edgar Watson.

The Programme will climax on Wednesday with an official launch and a football festival at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.

Below is a pictorial story of day two;

The FIFA Football For Schools Programme started on Sunday at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru and will run up to Tuesday.

The Programme run by FIFA, in collaboration with UNESCO, aims at contributing to the education, development and empowerment of around 700 million children across the world.

Below is Day One in Pictures;

FIFA Football For Schools Programme in Uganda officially got underway on Sunday at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.

The three-day event was officially opened by Assistant Commissioner Physical Education and Sports in the Ministry of Education and Sports, Sammy Odongo.

FUFA First Vice President Justus Mugisha represented FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim.

He was in the company of FUFA Executive Committee Member and Executive Secretary for Football Development Ronnie Kalema, FUFA CEO Edgar Watson and FUFA Deputy CEO-Football Decolas Kizza.

FUFA Football Development Director Ali Mwebe, FUFA Education Officer Jackson Nyiima and FUFA Women Football Development Manager Joan Namusisi were also present.

FIFA had a strong delegation led by FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer Kenny Honore Jean Marie, FIFA Football For Schools Manager Antonio Buenano Sanchez, FIFA Technical Consultant Alberto Giacomini and FIFA Associations Africa Regional Coordinator Sousa Silmara.

FUFA First Vice President Justus Mugisha lauded FIFA for the Programme that touches capacity building as a critical element in football development.

“We are very grateful to FIFA for this initiative because it touches a critical stage which is grassroots football. We believe by the end of the Programme, the participants will benefit a lot and it doesn’t end here because they will go and train other games teachers in their respective regions,” he said.

Odongo who was the Guest of Honour on the opening day indicated the FIFA Football For Schools Programme is in line with the new curriculum that puts emphasis on sports.

“Government through the Ministry of Education and Sports has incorporated sports and Physical Education into the new curriculum and we believe the FIFA Football For Schools Programme comes at a good time. Equipping games teachers with knowledge about football is important and we extend our appreciation to both FUFA and FIFA.” Stated Odongo.

FIFA Chief Member Associations Officer, Kenny Honore Jean Marie explained how the Programme was hatched.

“Football For Schools Programme was an idea started by FIFA aiming to coordinate Member Associations and Governments through Education and Sports Ministries to use football as a way of teaching life skills to students.”

It should be noted that FUFA identified 50 games teachers from the 8 regions of FUFA to take part in the workshop at FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.

The games teachers are trained by FIFA experts and will become certified Trainers after the three days. They will in turn train other games teachers from their respective regions.

A FIFA Football For Schools Online Platform (App) was revealed to the participants and all were tasked to open personal accounts.

The App has educational content that will guide the participants in executing and planning for their sessions with players between the age of 4-14 which the Programme targets.

Day Two will see participants learn about Safe Guarding and how to embed life skills in football.

The Programme will end on Tuesday with an official launch and a Football For Schools festival.

The first module of the ongoing CAF A Diploma Coaching Course successfully came to a climax on Friday with participants breaking off.

The break will last two months with participants having internship at their respective clubs.

Since June 11th, participants (Coaches) have been undergoing module one which had both practical and theoratical details of personal coaching style, developing philosophy, playing style, systems and formation, match analysis and periodization.

The module was under the guidance of CAF instructor Francis Kimanzi Mbindyo.

Participants will report back on 23rd August 2024 for the second module of the course where they will be required to present about game analysis, developing football philosophy and football periodization.

Speaking on behalf of all participants, Coach Badru Kaddu of Buikwe Red Stars said “we are going to become better club managers after the training,”

He also thanked FUFA for presenting them with the opportunity to study CAF A Coaching Course.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Ali Mwebe the Football Development Director at FUFA, urged the coaches to do all the assignments.

“We have come to the end of the first module and I believe the participants have gained a lot. What is required of them is to do all the assignments before reporting back for the second module.” He said.

It should be noted that the course has attracted a total of 25 participants, including some from neighbouring countries.

List of participants

Kaddu Badru – Buikwe Red Star FC (Uganda)

Kyesmira Arthur – Edgar’s FC (Uganda)

Senfuma Mohamed – Maroons FC (Uganda)

Kiwanuka Paul – UPDF FC (Uganda)

Muhumuza Fred – Vipers SC (Uganda)

Ngabo Pius – UPDF FC (Uganda)

Luyinda John – Wakiso Giants FC (Uganda)

Umar Abdallah – Melekia SC (South Sudan)

Brian Sseyondo -Kitara FC (Uganda)

Michael Nam – Gor Mahia FC (Kenya)

Ojok Simon Peter -Maroon FC (Uganda)

Kikomeko Abbey Bogere – BUL FC (Uganda)

Mugerwa Simon Peter – Police FC (Uganda)

Kintu Jimmy Mwera – UCU Lady Cardinals FC/ St. Noa (Uganda)

Momcilo Medic – Flambeau Du Centre (Burundi)

Petros Koukouras – Kiyovu Sports Club (Rwanda)

Alex Gitta – Simba FC (Uganda)

Mukasa Robert – URA FC (Uganda)

Kasule Richard – URA FC (Uganda)

Magera Jackson Kaddu – KCCA FC (Uganda)

Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi – Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC (Uganda)

Zungu Hassan – Busoga United FC (Uganda)

Dudu Bosco NEC FC (Uganda)

Ssali Tom – Soltilo Bright Stars F (Uganda)

Magoba Godfrey – UCU lady Cadinals FC (Uganda)

A total of 25 coaches began their six-month CAF A Diploma coaching course on Tuesday 11th June 2024 at FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru. It was then officially opened by FUFA CEO Edgar Watson who was the Chief Guest on Saturday.

The course is the first one under Caf coaching convention launched in 2019. The convention is a set of guidelines developed by each of the 6 confederations standardizing all aspects of course management. The Member association (FUFA) has to work on a set of requirements for the confederation (CAF) to examine and approve before authorizing the association to proceed with course organization. This operates at levels of CAF C, B, A and Pro Diplomas.

Watson reiterated FUFA’s commitment to embrace coaching education and capacity building for coaches as part of 2023-2030 FUFA Technical Masterplan. He stressed the Federation’s vision to make Uganda the best footballing nation on and off the field in Africa.

In his remarks, Watson also re-echoed one of FUFA’s mission statement “to protect the game for all” and strongly warned the coaches against prevailing vices undermining integrity of the game.

“FUFA has done so many things around governance, and through the guidance of the FUFA President, the Federation has now turned its focus on the real issues that occur on the field. That exactly was the President’s vision in formulation of the Technical Plan. When we talk about issues on the field, we mean coaching, players, medical and everything that operates around the pitch,” he started.

“As FUFA, we want Uganda to be the number one footballing nation on and off the field in Africa, and you are the key stakeholders to ensure we succeed on the field. But we still think there is a lot to do about the results on the field and that is where you the coaches are a key stakeholder in developing the game and putting us at the top level.’ Watson explained.

“There is also a vice of match manipulation that is coming into our game and coaches are potential targets of match fixers. We are trying so much to fight it, and it is a big fight with the help of the sports law, global partners and FIFA. You are called upon to recognize, resist and report and element suspicious that may come your way in the fight against match manipulation”

The course is part of FUFA’s initiative to ensure that there are more highly qualified coaches handling teams from grassroot to professional level and it’s currently the CAF’s benchmark to coach in its Interclub competition that is CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

The comprehensive course consists of three modules that are divided into seven blocks and will span over a period of six months.

According to Ali Mwebe, the FUFA Football Development Director, this course is the second-highest level of certification offered by CAF, with the prestigious CAF Pro License standing as the highest attainable level on the continent.

“The new convention of CAF came in 2019. It’s a set of guidelines standardizing the way courses are done and it’s with in this that you have to tick a few things to be allowed to organize courses at different levels ,” said Mwebe.

He further stressed that;

“When it came, we worked around the clock to fulfill the requirements within that convention. In 2019, we fulfilled requirements and did CAF C. We were very proud but also aware of the long journey ahead of us to attain further levels. We therefore embarked on the agenda to fulfill requirements of CAF B in 2021, which consequently came in 2022.
“We strategized again to embark on the requirements for CAF A and the target was 2024. So, I am happy and very proud to stand before you, witnessing the CEO opens this course that is core in our technical master plan in the areas of elite coaching development”

For the entire duration of 6 months, up to 8 facilitators will take the student coaches into various units of the course comprising practical and theory element throughout the 240hrs of the course.

The areas of learning include

Football Knowledge (Technical/tactical)

Teaching methodology (Technical/Tactical)

Leadership/Management (specialized)

Football physiology and anatomy (specialized)

Football science and nutrition (Specialized)

Laws of the game (specialized)

Media management (Specialized)

Kenyan International and CAF Coach Instructor Francis Kimanzi Mbindyo is leading the module of the course which involves block 1 and block 2.

In attendance of the course are a number of Uganda Premier League and FUFA Women Super League head coaches and other international coaches.

List of participants

Brian Sseyondo -Kitara FC (Uganda)

Kikomeko Abbey Bogere – BUL FC (Uganda)

Muhumuza Fred – Vipers SC (Uganda)

Ngabo Pius – UPDF (Uganda)

Luyinda John – Wakiso Giants (Uganda)

Ayub Khalifa Kiyingi – Kawempe Muslim Ladies FC (Uganda)

Kintu Jimmy Mwera – UCU Lady Cardinals /St. Noa (Uganda)

Kaddu Badru – Buikwe Red Star (Uganda)

Kyesmira Arthur – Edgar’s FC (Uganda)

Senfuma Mohamed – Maroons FC (Uganda)

Kiwanuka Paul – UPDF (Uganda)

Umar Abdallah – Melekia SC (South Sudan)

Michael Nam Ouma – Gor Mahia FC (Kenya)

Ojok Simon Peter -Maroon FC (Uganda)

Mugerwa Simon Peter – Police FC (Uganda)

Momcilo Medic – Flambeau Du Centre (Burundi)

Petros Koukouras – Kiyovu Sports Club (Rwanda)

Alex Gitta – Simba FC (Uganda)

Mukasa Robert – URA FC (Uganda)

Kasule Richard – URA FC (Uganda)

Magera Jackson Kaddu – KCCA FC (Uganda)

Zungu Hassan – Busoga United (Uganda)

Dudu Bosco NEC FC (Uganda)

Ssali Tom – Bright Stars (Uganda)

Magoba Godfrey – UCU lady Cadinals (Uganda)