FUFA: Federation of Uganda Football Associations

Category: Press Releases

  • Former FUFA delegate Lubandi is dead!

    FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa has lost a great friend in football management

    Death has robbed FUFA of yet another football family member and former Kamuli district delegate, Grace Lubandi.

    Lubandi died from Mulago Hospital on Wednesday and will be laid to rest at Balawuli village along Bukungu road in Kamuli district this Thursday at 2:00pm.

    FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa has described Lubandi’s death as a ‘big loss’ to the entire football fraternity. “He has been very knowledgeable in the field of football administration. We thank God for his tireless service rendered to this nation as both a teacher and a football administrator”, reads part of the FA president’s condolence message.

    The deceased served as a delegate between 1995 and 2009, a record of 14 years. During the late Denis Obua’s regime, Lubandi was an executive member from 199 to 2002.

    Throughout his tenure, he has been one of the eloquent legislators in the history of the FUFA Assembly. Professionally, he trained as a secondary school teacher but he has also been a proud Budonian. Before meeting his death, Lubandi was a head teacher for Wakitaka SS in Jinja district.

    He has been one of the key advisors and staunch supporters of Mr. Lawrence Mulindwa whom he nominated for the Maiden FUFA Presidency candidature in 2005 in his capacity as Kamuli DFA Delegate

    He survives with a widow and children. May his soul rest in eternal peace.

  • Kisumu U20 friendly called off

    FUFA Finance Vice President Anthony Kimuli and Ogwel Patrick (VP Youth) sharing a joyful moment with U20 head coach Paul Nkata and his assistant Abdalllah Mubiru before Uganda walloped Mozambique 4-0 @befoi
    FUFA vice president in charge Finance Mr. Anthony Kimuli and his colleague Patrick Ogwel (Youth) share a moment of joy with U20 Head coach Paul Nkata and his assistant Abdallah Mubiru last week before Uganda Hippos walloped Mozambique 4-0. The return leg has now been fixed for May 5 in Maputo

    Please note that the earlier planned friendly match for our U20 National team against Nyanza Province in Kisumu has been called of.

    Reasons:

    (i) The match was encroaching on the time frame allocated to USL to have the Bell Super League matches end on schedule. Travelling to Kisumu would have led to an extension of some league matches especially those involving clubs like Proline, Express, SC. Villa, URA and Maroons.

    (ii) The duration between the proposed match days in Kisumu (April 28 and 29) and the Mozambique return leg date was too small. The Mozambique game has been confirmed for May 5.

    (iii) The latest communication coming in from Mozambique has pointed towards having our return leg played on an artificial turf at Chibuto stadium, North of Maputo City. This has compelled us to shift camp to Njeru Technical centre for an intensified training which will also give our players a good exposure of playing on an artificial turf. The players leave for Njeru on Sunday.

    We regret any inconveniences caused to our stakeholders but the changes are intended to ensure that the Hippos pick up good results from Maputo.

  • EX-Minister passes FIFA/FUFA Exams

    Winner: Alintuma Nsambu John

    A former minister in President Yoweri Museveni cabinet, John Alintuma Nsambu has emerged the only successful candidate in the recently conducted FIFA player Agents examinations.

    Alintuma who served as the state minister for Information Technology sat the examinations on March 29 with two other candidates. A total of twenty questions were done each earning the candidate a mark. Fifteen of these examinations were set and sent by FIFA, an international football body while five others were locally set by FUFA. For one to pass one needed at least 14 questions answered rightly.

    Alintuma got 15 questions right according to the results supervised by Mr. William Byuma, the Federation Education officer. Others were Ofongo James and Musa Kizito who scored 11 and 7 points respectively.

    The sole successful candidate will now have to appear before the Federation Licensing Board chaired by a FIFA certified Administration instructor Mr. Justus Mugisha for further scrutiny. He will be required to present the insurance cover to the board among other requirements. On fulfillment of all the requirements, Alintuma will be presented with a certificate of operation as a fully registered players’ agent.

    Alintuma served as a minister and a Member of Parliament for Bukoto Central constituency between 2006 and 2011 but lost his parliamentary seats to Florence Namayanja during elections. President Museveni also threw him out of cabinet and replaced him with Nyombi Tembo who was formerly in charge of Luwero Triangle ministry.

    The next player Agents examinations will be conducted in September this year.

     

     

  • Kalyango for Al Merreikh- TP Mazembe CAF tie

    The confederation of African Football Associations (CAF) has appointed a set of four Ugandan referees to officiate a crucial CAF Orange Club Champions league match between Al Merreikh of Sudan and DRC’s league giants TP Mazembe. Ali Kalyango, a no nonsense man will stand in the centre of the game to be played in Khartoum City.

    He will be assisted by Hussein Bugembe and Ngobi Musa Balikoowa. Brian Nsubuga travels as a standby referee. The game will be played on the weekend of May 11-13.

    Uganda Cranes young skilled player Mike Mutyaba features for Al Merreikh and is expected to play in this game.

    In another development, FIFA has also appointed Ssemambo Aisha, Diana Mukasa, Nakitto Marex and Irene Namubiru to handle the FIFA U20 Women World Cup (3rd round) match between Nigeria and DRC. The game will be played between May 4-6.

    Meanwhile a former Grade I referee and match assessor, Moses Wagambula has passed on. He reportedly succumbed to diabetes from Mbale Hospital and he will be laid to rest on Friday at Bulago village, Mbulamburi district, 30km from Mbale town.

  • Koboko student dies after collusion

    West Nile Regional Chairperson, Mike Leti broke the sad news to FUFA

    A 15-year old Senior Two Student collapsed on the pitch and later died from the hospital after colliding with an opponent during a school organized football match.

    According to the information provided by the West Nile Regional Chairperson, Mr. Mike Letti, the deceased identified as Joseph Nyari was a student at St. Charles Lwanga Secondary School in Koboko district.

    The young student collided with a Senior One goalkeeper during the inter-class football competition aimed at selecting the U15 team to compete in the FUFA organized S.1- S.2 tournament scheduled for July.

    Nyari was a Sudanese by nationality attaining education from Uganda. Medical reports reveal a burst kidney, urinary tract and torn small intestine, according to information provided by Boboli Charles, a delegate from Koboko. The player succumbed to death from Koboko hospital on Monday April 16.

    May the Almighty rest his soul in eternal peace.

  • Sadolin FC player shot dead

    FA leader Lawrence Mulindwa has issued a statement urging security agencies to speed up the investigations into the player's murder

    Godfrey Ddamba Lutaaya 29, a Sadolin FC player, a Kampala Regional League club was on Saturday afternoon shot dead by a gun man alleged to have been a member of the Uganda Police force.

    Sadolin FC club Manager Joseph Opio said, the player was traced from his home until the assailant found him with friends in Bweyogerere where he was shot dead. “He asked him whether he was Ddamba and on giving his response that he was, the policeman shot him. He also injured two other friends”, Opio explained.

    FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa has this Monday morning sent a condolence message to the deceased’s family, Sadolin Football Club and the entire football fraternity in Uganda. “I am shocked to learn that the incident I watched on one of the local television bulletin a night ago, involved our own player who was shot dead by a gun man”. Reads part of Mulindwa’s condolence message.

    The Ugandan FA President has described the deceased as having been ‘a talented Goal Keeper’ but regretted that his life had been lost in ‘un clear circumstances’. “It’s my hope that the security agencies exhaustively investigate this matter and punish the culprit in a deserved manner” Mulindwa said.

    Ddamba will be laid to rest at Kalungu-Lukaya this Monday, 4:00pm. He has been a player for Sadolin FC since 2007 and he was instrumental in guiding the club to the Regional league where it stands in the 4th position on the table. The deceased featured for his club last Wednesday as they edged Bright Stars FC 2-0 at Lugogo and this was his last game before meeting his death on Saturday afternoon. Preliminary details indicate that he survives with a widow and three children.

    May His Soul Rest in Eternal Peace.

  • U20: Uganda wallops Mozambique 4-0

    The victorious Hippos who walloped Mozambique 4-0

    Uganda U20 National team, the Hippos out smarted visiting counterparts from Mozambique walloping them 4-0 in the first leg of the Africa U20 youth championship played in Kampala on Saturday.

    Yayo Lutimba (Express FC) scored the fastest goal in his football career that came only 30 seconds after kick off to send the youthful home boys into wild celebrations. Ssekisambu Erisa who also features for Express FC netted twice before William Wadri (Proline FC) sealed the deal nine minutes to break time.

    Mozambique looked disunited throughout the first half but the Germany coach Angels Gert Josef seem to have taken note of their mistakes, corrected them and his side returned to pitch a better side for the second half.  The last 45 minutes yielded no goal for either side.

    “We needed a win and we have it. We shall base our next plans from there” said a visibly excited assistant coach Abdallah Mubiru shortly after the game.  Uganda travels to Mozambique in two weeks time and when they advance to the next round, they play Ghana.

    For the Mozambican coach, Angels Gert, Ugandans should not celebrate yet. He has promised a tougher game in Maputo. “It’s a big loss but such results can still be reversed. Uganda has been a better side at home and we can still be better in Maputo” vowed Gert.

    End

  • Mozambique U20 jets in, Hippos set

    The Hippos (U20) National team takes on Mozambique this Saturday in their first leg match of the Africa U20 Youth Championship.  The game to be played at Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium will be officiated by referees from Seychelles with Mr. Nkubitho Athanase from Rwanda as the Match Commissioner.

    The Centre Referee is Camille Bernard assisted by Petrousse H. Danny and Lista Gilbert as first and second assistants respectively. CAF has also appointed Labrosse Clauda Jean as the reserve referee with Uganda’s Ronnie Kalema serving as the Guide Referee. All Match officials are accommodated at Hotel Africana.

    Meanwhile the Mozambican 24-man delegation touched Entebbe International Airport last evening. They are camped at Sky Hotel in Ntinda. The team German born Head Coach Angels Gert Josef said only one of their players remained behind but expected to join the rest of the team at 07:05pm this Friday.  The visiting team will train at Nakivubo stadium at 4:00pm today. The delegation is led by Esculudes Nichola, a member of their FA executive committee.

    The entry fees remain at Shs.5000 and 10.000 for open/covered stands and the pavilion respectively. Secondary and Primary school uniformed students with badges on their shirts or dresses will access the stadium freely. Possession of a valid school identity card will be an added advantage.

  • FUFA wins another Kabenge court case

    The High Court of Uganda here in Kampala on Wednesday afternoon dismissed an application filed by banned former Uganda Super League (USL) board chairman Kavuma Kabenge and his chief Executive Officer Ebil Ssegawa against FUFA and its seven other officials .

    The duo had filed an application in the High court against the Federation President Lawrence Mulindwa, Vice President in charge of Administration Eng. Moses Magogo, the CEO Edgar Watson and the FUFA Disciplinary Committee Chairman, Council Geoffrey Ojok Odur. Others were David Balondemu, Asuman Nyonyintono and Jacob Lubega all members of the disciplinary judicial body.

    Kabenge was seeking a judicial review granting him several orders that included nullifying the current FUFA constitution, a declaration that the FUFA Disciplinary committee lacked jurisdiction and calling for the record of the impugned investigations, proceedings and decisions of the Disciplinary committee that suspended them among many other orders.

    In her ruling, Hon Lady Justice Elizabeth Musoke dismissed the application with each party bearing its costs and advised the applicants to follow the acceptable procedures laid down in the FUFA constitution by going to the Appeals Committee.

    The Justice observed that it was not disputed that FUFA had an Appeals mechanism within its statutes comprising members well versed in legal matters and dismissed allegations that the committee was biased. “From the evidence on our record, I have seen nothing to point to any likely bias by the appeals committee of FUFA” said Musoke in her ruling.

    Kabenge had earlier accused the FUFA Appeals committee of being incompetent and biased. But Justice Musoke further wondered as to why Kabenge again proposed before court to have the disputes between the two parties resolved through arbitration, with the tribunal chaired by Mr. Richard Kiboneka who is the Appeals committee chairperson!

    “In this case it’s the courts view that the applicants ought to exhaust other remedies, the first of which is the Appeals mechanism within the FUFA Disciplinary code” Justice Musoke said in her ruling as Kabenge looked on.Quoting article 94 of the FUFA disciplinary code, Musoke said if the applicants felt aggrieved by the decision of the Disciplinary Committee, they would have appealed to the FUFA appeals committee, and exhaust the domestic remedies prior to going to ordinary courts.

    FUFA CEO Edgar Watson, Legal Committee chairman Mohammed Bazirengedde and Disciplinary Committee chairman Geoffrey Ojok Odur attended the proceedings as Hon Lady Justice Elizabeth Musoke ruled against Kavuma Kabenge and Segawa Ebil.

  • Fabian scores against Egypt

    Egypt 2, Uganda 1

    Fabian Kizito Derrick kept a keen eye on the ball and made brilliant movements on the pitch till his efforts yielded results for Uganda in the 35 minute. He moved faster to intercept a short back pass defender Hossam Ghaly made for goalie, Essam Elhaddry within the goal area and left the Egyptian elderly goalkeeper crawling as he sent the ball in the far left corner of the net.

    Elhaddry’s turn ended immediately after this score as he complained of a waist injury and got substituted by Ahamed El Shenawy. Kizito was making his first appearance on the Cranes squad and his performance got described by head Coach Bobby Williamson as ‘an impressive start’. His score becomes the first goal the Pharaohs conceded in a stretch of about five months. Egypt who had earlier played Niger, Congo and Kenya without conceding a goal last had a ball behind their net way back in November 2011 against Brazil.

    “I am happy that my first time on the Cranes final squad, I have scored. This will encourage me to do better if I am another chance in the future” said a soft spoken Kizito. He added, “I still have a challenge to learn my teammates and for them to get used to my movements. It was painful that we lost that game”. Kizito further revealed that he played with some pain in the back which partly affected him.

    The first half ended 1-0 in favour of Uganda with Israel Emuge, Saka Mpima, Edward Ssali and Captain Godfrey Walusimbi doing the donkey work in frustrating the speedy movements by the hosts. In the 55 minute, the Egyptian coach made three well calculated substitutes one after the other that saw Ahamed Temsah’s first touch earning them an equalizer. The Ugandan local based players held Egypt to a 1-all draw until one minute to the end of the game when team captain Mohamed Adoll netted a winner that left goalie Yasin Mugabi well beaten. Mugabi had replaced Hamza Muwonge in the 86 minute.

    FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa said the game was a great opportunity for the home based players and pledged more friendly matches before June. The team touched Entebbe International Airport safely Friday afternoon.

  • Mutyaba ruled out of Egyptian friendly

    Shocking news! Cranes talented young player, Mike Mutyaba has been ruled out of today’s international friendly match against Egypt due to an injury.

    Mutyaba who was at Khartoum international airport Tueasday night to receive the Ugandan delegation has disclosed to Head Coach Bobby Williamson the directive by his medical team to keep away from playing for two weeks. Mutyaba plays for Al-Merreikh and sustained this injury while battling Zimbabwe’s FC Platinum in the CAF competitions last weekend. The game ended 2-2 with the Ugandan star scoring the opener in the 18th minute to earn his side a away crucial point.

    The team medics had earlier expected the player to return to action shortly but later ruled him out for a fortnight.  “I feel bad that I am missing this crucial friendly. It would have been another big opportunity for me to prove my ability before my fans here in Khartoum…..but I wish the Cranes all the best” said a visibly concerned Mutyaba. He gave his comments from Al Salam Rotana Hotel where both the Ugandan and the Egyptian delegations are accomodated.

    Mutyaba’s news took the Cranes technical team by surprise but head coach Bobby Williamson said he would find a way of filling that gap. Uganda plays Egypt in a friendly match aimed at identifying players for CHAN and to accord the home boys an international exposure among other set objectives.

    The team trained at Khartoum National stadium last evening under floodlight with no injuries registered.

  • Egypt-Uganda friendly confirmed

    The long awaited Egypt-Uganda international friendly match has finally been confirmed for March 30 in Khartoum City, Sudan. The Cranes team comprising mainly home based players has started training in Nakivubo War Memorial stadium this Saturday morning.

    The game had earlier been scheduled for February but called off due to the insecurities in Cairo. Attempts were later made to have the same game played in Qatar but the efforts did not also yield results. Our official match agents, Sports Global Management (SGM) based in Geneva with regional offices in Nairobi have now confirmed to us the new date and venue.  The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) will use this international friendly to try some new players based within and outside Uganda.

    Among the expected new players on trial are Kizito Fabian Derrick playing in The Netherlands, Ndoro Tonny featuring for Young Africans in Tanzania and Lwanyaga Ronnie Martins who plays for Al-Merreikh in Sudan among others. FUFA is much aware of the seniority of the Egyptian side that has been together for long but the main focus here is to grant our home based players an international exposure as we look forward to the selection of the CHAN team.

    The invited players include Kimera Ali, Hamza Muwonge, Denis Guma, Walusimbi Godfrey, Kimuli Robert, Luzige Edgar, Bengo Steven, Ssemakula Noah, Emuge Israel, Mpima Sakka, Omondi Sapeo Ceaser, Kazibwe Ismail, Okhuti Ceaser, Luwagga Kizito, Kirabira Isaac, Saddam Juma, Kizito Fabian, Lwanyaga Ronnie Martins, Ndoro Tonny, Wadada  and Kakembo Jimmy.

    Al-Merreikh player, Mike Mutyaba will join the team in Khartoum. The URA players have been left out in order to concentrate on their continental campaign.


  • Defiant Kabenge in shocking drama!

    In what can be termed as real drama of events, the banned former Uganda Super League (USL) board chairperson, Kavuma Kabenge now denies knowledge of any disciplinary actions ever taken against him by FUFA or its judicial bodies!
    Kabenge has also down played all the past efforts showed by the world football governing body, FIFA , the Government of Uganda and any other institutions including Supersport in restoring sanity within the National league.
    “….It has been established that no disciplinary decision has ever been taken by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations and its judicial bodies against me” reads part of Kabenge’s March 15 response to FUFA. The errant official was responding to the communication from the Federation CEO Edgar Watson sent a day earlier warning him against the continued violation of association football rules.
    “Based on the meetings with FIFA officials Mr. Primo Canvaro and Ashford Mamelodi, with the Minister of State for Sports (Hon. Charles Bakabulindi) and with Super sport official Mr. Gary Rathbone, it was unanimously advised that you step aside and tender your appeal to the FUFA Appeals Committee” FUFA wrote. The statement further added, “Duly Constituted FUFA judicial bodies exist and that the first instance body (FUFA Disciplinary Committee) sat and pronounced itself on your matter. These matters are not disputes but disciplinary issues”.
    But Kabenge has stubbornly hit back alleging that such meetings did not have resolutions and therefore not binding. “There are no resolutions of meetings be it with the Minister of sports, FIFA nor Supersport that you are talking about……in the circumstance there is nothing to appeal against” wrote the errant former USL board chairman.
    In yet another parental approach, the federation had granted both Kabenge and former CEO Ebil Ssegawa three working days to express interest to appeal. The grace period expires on Monday March 19.
    FUFA further called for immediate withdraw of all matters brought before civil courts of law by the two officials or their agents as the actions were contrary to the rules governing association football and punishable. Kabenge has however remained quiet on the directive to withdraw court cases.
    With such details continuing to emerge from Kabenge, the judgment remains open to you to prove whether himself and his agents have any positive feelings towards the good of Ugandan football governed under association football rules. (Story compiled by Rogers Mulindwa, Head of Communications in FUFA)

  • 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.