FUFA: Federation of Uganda Football Associations

Category: Press Releases

  • Crested Cranes’ training shifts to Wankulukuku

    The Crested Cranes players in Cairo for their friendly matches in December last year

    The Crested Cranes, a national women team starts training this Monday at Mutesa II Memorial stadium Wankulukuku in preparation for their encounter against DR Congo in the 8th Africa women championship qualifiers.

    The team coordinator Marian Kaliga confirmed the changes adding that the playing surface of Nakivubo stadium got spoilt during the end of year national prayers held there. “This has forced us to make a last minute change to Wankulukuku” Kaliga explained

    The team Coach Majda Nantanda said they will have only one training session in the morning and break off for tomorrow. She added that they will remain in Wankulukuku until Friday evening when the team shifts to Kavumba Recreational Centre for a residential training.  Nantanda added that the number of players had been increased from the earlier declared 25 to 31.

    “This will give us a wider choice of player selection to constitute the final squad” said the former national team player. Ms Lisa Berg a women Football Technical Consultant from USA will be part of the technical team to oversee the training.  Lisa was part of the group that traveled with the Crested Cranes to Cairo on December 13. The team played two international friendly matches against hosts, Egypt. Uganda will take on DR Congo on January 14 at Nakivubo stadium.

    Meanwhile the FUFA Competitions Committee has fixed January 1 -31 as the official gazetted period for the players’ secondary transfer and registration window.   All clubs are required to take note of this as no extension  will be made after the closing date. (Rogers Mulindwa, Head of Communications-FUFA)

  • 2011: A Year of mixed fortunes-FUFA President

    FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa

    Fellow Ugandans, Let me begin by thanking the Almighty God for bringing us this close to another New Year. I hope we all had a wonderful Christmas.

    FUFA pays its respect to all our departed colleagues. May their Souls Rest In Eternal Peace! As we come to the end of 2011, I wish to thank all of you for the immeasurable support you have given to FUFA. The year 2011 has been a year of mixed fortunes at FUFA.

    Achievements:

    • Njeru Technical Centre: FUFA completed the construction of the Njeru Technical Centre. The FIFA Development Officer for Africa, Ashford Mamelodi was impressed by the work done by my administration on this project.
    • U-23 Maputo: Uganda was represented at the All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique by our U-23 team.

      FIFA's Mamelodi inspecting Njeru Technical Centre mid December 2011
    • International tournaments: Uganda featured in international tournaments like CHAN, Nile Basin Championship and the LG Cup in Morocco.
    • CECAFA: Uganda won a record 12th CECAFA title. Our Cranes team defied all odds and beat rivals Rwanda 3-2 on penalties after normal play had ended 2-2 in Dar-es Salaam.
    • Administration, Finance and Communication: My administration reconstituted FUFA by bringing in more administrators to bolster football development in Uganda. New Standing committees were named. Several administrative and beach soccer courses were held to enhance the proper running of the game. We have continued to practice transparency and accountability at all levels which has won admiration of our local and international partners.  Our website www.fufa.co.ug continues to run smoothly and offers regular news of all FUFA activities. I encourage everyone out there to regularly visit this website.

      On Board: Mujib Kasule shares a moment of joy with the FUFA president. Mujib is in charge of USL
    • Referees:  FUFA ensured that several referee courses were held to improve refereeing standards. Several refresher courses have been conducted throughout the country.
    • Coaches:  We have encouraged more coaches to take up national and international assignments. Courses have been held to improve the level of coaching and more will be held.
    • Uganda Super League: FUFA appointed Mr. Mujib Kasule as Vice President in charge of USL to streamline the proper running of the league and to ensure that the Jinja Declaration is adhered to by all stakeholders.
    • Sponsorship: We thank our sponsors MTN, Bell, NIC, Nile Breweries Ltd, Coca Cola, City Tyres, the government, and everyone who contributed towards our activities in 2011.
    • The Cranes:
      The Cranes lifted the Cecafa title in Dar es salaam on December 10.

      The national team has drawn alot of support from all quarters. We recorded a record turn out during the Angola, Guinea Bissau and Kenya AFCON 2012 games at Namboole Stadium. We thank our fans for the tremendous support.

      President Yoweri Museveni has promised more support towards FUFA efforts next year
    • Youth Football: Youth football continued to flourish under my administration. Uganda also impressed at the East African Secondary Schools Championships in Mbarara, with two Ugandan teams Kibuli SS and St Mary’s Kitende, reaching the finals. Setting up youth structures at all levels has been our priority. School games teachers were also trained.
    • Women’s football: FUFA continued to promote women football. A number of teams took part in this year’s FUFA Women Inter Regional Championship held in Fort portal. Lisa Berg, a woman Football technical consultant from USA is in the country to assist in the development of women football.  Our national team played two international friendly matches against Egypt in Cairo this December.
    1. FUFA- MTN Inter Regional Championship: Kampala Region's Captain Bonny Baingana receives the FUFA-MTN trophy from the FA President in Tororo this year. Baingana is now a key player for Express FCFUFA held the MTN Inter Regional Championship in Tororo. This championship helps the federation technical team to tap raw talent. Current Super League prominent players like Bonny Baingana and Musa Mukasa (Express FC) and Goal Keeper Jamal Salim among others were identified from our last inter regional competitions in Tororo.
    2. Plan for the year ahead 2012
    • Cranes World Cup and Nations Cup qualifiers: Cranes will take part in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. We are in the same group with Angola, Senegal and Liberia in the world Cup qualifiers. Cranes will meet Congo Brazzaville away on February 29, 2012 in the Nations Cup qualifiers. The main challenge is funding.
    • Youth Football: FUFA will continue to promote youth football by encouraging more teams to take part in youth tournaments like the COPA Coca Cola championship, the U-15 S1/S2 FUFA championship, U-16 Shell Championship and U-14 City Tyres Championship.
    • Women football:
      Crested Cranes Head Coach, Majda Nantanda in a training session as the team prepared for an international friendly match against Egypt. Right is M/S Lisa Berga, a Technical consultant from USA

      The Crested Cranes will host Congo in the African Cup of Nations Women qualifiers on January14 at Nakivubo Stadium. I encourage Ugandans to come in big numbers and cheer our team.

    • Njeru Technical Centre: We will soon officially open the Njeru Technical Centre. We thank FIFA, through our Regional Development Officer Ashford, for financing this project.
    • Monitoring potential Cranes players: In a bid to strengthen our national team, FUFA is running an aggressive campaign of monitoring potential Cranes players locally and internationally. We will give these players a chance to feature for Cranes and in other national youth teams.
    • Marketing and sponsorship: FUFA will seek more sponsors for all our activities. Companies, individuals and government will be sought to support our national teams, Beach soccer, technical development, youth development and women football.
    • Administration and Communication:
      The FA President consults some members of his Executive during a retreat in Entebbe in October

      My administration will ensure that our local administrators continue to get international exposure through organising administrative courses. FUFA will seek more sponsors for our website to make it more attractive and widely visited.

    • Media symposium: FUFA, in conjunction with CAF and FIFA, will organise a Media Symposium in Kampala aimed at improving the standards of football reporting.
    • Uganda Super League: FUFA will engage FIFA and CAF instructors to train our local club administrators on acceptable management standards. Many clubs are being run down due to inefficiency in administration.
    • International tournaments:Uganda will continue to feature in international
      Uganda finished second in this year's Nile Basin tournament in Cairo

      tournaments to expose our players more on the international scene.

    Conclusion

    FUFA would like to thank the government, the State Minister for Sports Hon. Charles Bakabulindi, our sponsors, media and all our fans for the support you have accorded to the federation in the past year.

    We assure Ugandans that we are still very committed to the development of football in Uganda. Discipline of players, officials and all other members of FUFA will be paramount. FUFA will not tolerate indiscipline and violation of the Constitution and FIFA Statutes.

    I once again wish you a happy New Year.

    Live it Love it.

    Lawrence Mulindwa

    FUFA PRESIDENT

  • 2011: A year of mixed fortunes-FUFA President

     

    FUFA President, Lawrence Mulindwa says despite the unfortunate Uganda's failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, a lot has been achieved and strategies have been laid to register more success in 2012.

    Fellow Ugandans, Let me begin by thanking the Almighty God for bringing us this close to another New Year. I hope we all had a wonderful Christmas.

    FUFA pays its respect to all our departed colleagues. May their Souls Rest In Eternal Peace! As we come to the end of 2011, I wish to thank all of you for the immeasurable support you have given to FUFA. The year 2011 has been a year of mixed fortunes at FUFA.

    Achievements:

    FIFA Devpt Officer Ashford Mamelodi at Njeru Technical Centre mid December 2011. Mamelodi was impressed with the work done under the FUFA supervision

    • Njeru Technical Centre: FUFA completed the construction of the Njeru Technical Centre. The FIFA Development Officer for Africa, Ashford Mamelodi was impressed by the work done by my administration on this project.

      FIFA Devpt officer Ashford Mamelodi at Njeru for the final inspection on the Technical centre
    • U-23 Maputo: Uganda was represented at the All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique by our U-23 team.
    • International tournaments: Uganda featured in international tournaments like CHAN, Nile Basin Championship and the LG Cup in Morocco.
    • CECAFA: Uganda won a record 12th CECAFA title. Our Cranes team defied all odds and beat rivals Rwanda 3-2 on penalties after normal play had ended 2-2 in Dar-es Salaam.

      FUFA President consults his executive members during a retyreat at Entebbe in October
    • Administration, Finance and Communication: My administration reconstituted FUFA by bringing in more administrators to bolster football development in Uganda. New Standing committees were named. Several administrative and beach soccer courses were held to enhance the proper running of the game. We have continued to practice transparency and accountability at all levels which has won admiration of our local and international partners.  Our website www.fufa.co.ug continues to run smoothly and offers regular news of all FUFA activities. I encourage everyone out there to regularly visit this website.
    • Referees:  FUFA ensured that several referee courses were held to improve refereeing standards. Several refresher courses have been conducted throughout the country.
    • Coaches:  We have encouraged more coaches to take up national and international assignments. Courses have been held to improve the level of coaching and more will be held.

      Mujib Kasule (right) shares a happy moment with the FA President. Mujib was appointed new VP in charge of USL in November this year.
    • Uganda Super League: FUFA appointed Mr. Mujib Kasule as Vice President in charge of USL to streamline the proper running of the league and to ensure that the Jinja Declaration is adhered to by all stakeholders.
    • Sponsorship: We thank our sponsors MTN, Bell, NIC, Nile Breweries Ltd, Coca Cola, City Tyres, the government, and everyone who contributed towards our activities in 2011.
    • The Cranes: The national team has drawn alot of support from all quarters. We recorded a record turn out during the Angola, Guinea Bissau and Kenya AFCON 2012 games at Namboole Stadium. We thank our fans for the tremendous support.
    • Youth Football: Youth football continued to flourish under my administration. Uganda also impressed at the East African Secondary Schools Championships in Mbarara, with two Ugandan teams Kibuli SS and St Mary’s Kitende, reaching the finals. Setting up youth structures at all levels has been our priority. School games teachers were also trained.

      Crested Cranes Head Coach, Majda Nantanda giving instructions to her players shortly before they left for Egypt for the international friendly matches. Looking on is Lisa Berg from USA
    • Women’s football: FUFA continued to promote women football. A number of teams took part in this year’s FUFA Women Inter Regional Championship held in Fort portal. Lisa Berg, a woman Football technical consultant from USA is in the country to assist in the development of women football.  Our national team played two international friendly matches against Egypt in Cairo this December.

      Kampala Region Captain Bonny Baingana receives a trophy from the FUFA president in Tororo. Baingana now features for Express FC
    • FUFA- MTN Inter Regional Championship: FUFA held the MTN Inter Regional Championship in Tororo. This championship helps the federation technical team to tap raw talent. Current Super League prominent players like Bonny Baingana and Musa Mukasa (Express FC) and Goal Keeper Jamal Salim among others were identified from our last inter regional competitions in Tororo.

    Plan for the year ahead 2012

    • Cranes World Cup and Nations Cup qualifiers: Cranes will take part in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. We are in the same group with Angola, Senegal and Liberia in the world Cup qualifiers. Cranes will meet Congo Brazzaville away on February 29, 2012 in the Nations Cup qualifiers. The main challenge is funding.

      The Cranes team that lifted the 2011 Cecafa Tusker Cup in Dar es salaam
    • Youth Football: FUFA will continue to promote youth football by encouraging more teams to take part in youth tournaments like the COPA Coca Cola championship, the U-15 S1/S2 FUFA championship, U-16 Shell Championship and U-14 City Tyres Championship.
    • Women football: The Crested Cranes will host Congo in the African Cup of Nations Women qualifiers on January14 at Nakivubo Stadium. I encourage Ugandans to come in big numbers and cheer our team.
    • Njeru Technical Centre: We will soon officially open the Njeru Technical Centre. We thank FIFA, through our Regional Development Officer Ashford, for financing this project.

      President Yoweri Museveni visited the Cranes camp in October and he later promised to continue support the FUFA efforts of lifting our soccer to another level
    • Monitoring potential Cranes players: In a bid to strengthen our national team, FUFA is running an aggressive campaign of monitoring potential Cranes players locally and internationally. We will give these players a chance to feature for Cranes and in other national youth teams.
    • Marketing and sponsorship: FUFA will seek more sponsors for all our activities. Companies, individuals and government will be sought to support our national teams, Beach soccer, technical development, youth development and women football.
    • Administration and Communication: My administration will ensure that our local administrators continue to get international exposure through organising administrative courses. FUFA will seek more sponsors for our website to make it more attractive and widely visited.
    • Media symposium: FUFA, in conjunction with CAF and FIFA, will organise a Media Symposium in Kampala aimed at improving the standards of football reporting.

      Uganda has participated in a number of tournaments this year. The picture above shows Coach Bobby shortly after return Egypt for the Nile Basin Cup. Uganda finished second
    • Uganda Super League: FUFA will engage FIFA and CAF instructors to train our local club administrators on acceptable management standards. Many clubs are being run down due to inefficiency in administration.
    • International tournaments: Uganda will continue to feature in international tournaments to expose our players more on the international scene.

    Conclusion

    FUFA would like to thank the government, the State Minister for Sports Hon. Charles Bakabulindi, our sponsors, media and all our fans for the support you have accorded to the federation in the past year.

    We assure Ugandans that we are still very committed to the development of football in Uganda. Discipline of players, officials and all other members of FUFA will be paramount. FUFA will not tolerate indiscipline and violation of the Constitution and FIFA Statutes.

    I once again wish you a happy New Year.

    Live it Love it.

    Lawrence Mulindwa

    FUFA PRESIDENT

  • FIFA releases 2012 refs’ list

    Ugandan referees undergoing a fitness test in Namboole recently

    The world Football body, FIFA has released a list of 16 Ugandan referees for the award of international badges for the year 2012.

    The list has four male centre referees, one person less compared to the 2010 list. The changes in this category partly follows the voluntary retirement of Mohammad Segonga. He officially threw in the towel after his farewell game between URA FC and army side Simba SC in the Bell Uganda Cup finals in May this year.

    The male centre referees include Denis Batte, Ronnie Kalema, Ali Kalyango and Fredrick Ngobi Mfuta. Irene namubiru and Ssemambo Nabikko are the only two female centre referees. The list also has seven male assistant referees led by Hussein Bugembe, Khilifan Kanakulya, Samuel Kayondo, Yahaya Kitti, Musa Ngobi Balikoowa, Patabali Okello and Mark Sonko. Rehmah Kizito, Diana Mukasa and Marrex Nakitto Nkumbi are the three female assistant referees.

    Meanwhile FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa has warned referees against taking sides as they execute their duties. “The results of a game should not depend on you by showing sides but instead create a conducive environment for the best team to win” Mulindwa said. He was addressing referees at the federation headquarters on December 27.  (By Rogers Mulindwa, Head of Communications-FUFA)

  • 25 summoned ahead of Congo clash

    Crested Cranes' Head Coach, Majdah Nantanda will have to revise her notes carefully in order to guide her side past DR Congo in Nakivubo stadium, Jan 14/15

    FUFA technical desk has summoned a total of 25 players ahead of the Crested Cranes’ clash against DR Congo National team in the 8th Africa Women championship qualifiers.

    Uganda hosts Congo on January 14/15 2012 at Nakivubo stadium. The list released by the Federation Technical Director Asuman Lubowa has the majority of the players drawn from the team that travelled to Cairo recently for the international friendly matches.

    Nine of the invitees are Kampala based players that include Harriet Kayonjo, Gladyse Nakitto, Shamim Nantege, Rita Nakirijja, Christine Nambirige, Hadijja Nampijja, Fatuma Matovu, Winnie Nakato and Sylivia Nagawa.  Kampala are the current defending champions of the FUFA Inter-regional women competitions. They lifted the title from Fort portal in August this ending year after beating Eastern in the finals.

    Masaka Secondary Schools’ Dorothy Nakato, Naome Nagaddya and Mary Babirye are also on the list. St. Mary’s Kitende SS has only Joyce Mwebaze and Ritah Kivumbi invited for national duty. Agnes Nalunkuuma, a student from St. Marys’ Nabweru and Sylivia Nakazibwe from Edgars Youth program will also be part of the training squad.

    The squad that played against Egypt in Cairo, mid December

    Fatuma Luwedde, Stella Nassuna, Christine Wanyama, Viola Nambi, Betty Omega and Memorty Nampijja were selected from Buganda region. Others are Aidah Namuyomba, Zaina Namukasa (Eastern) and Sharlote Binsiima picked from the western region. The group starts residential training on January 2 next year at Kavumba recreation centre under the command of head coach Majda Nantanda. The Crested cranes played two international friendly matches against Egypt this month losing 4-1 and 1-0 in their first and second match respectively. Nambirige Chriustine scored Uganda’s only goal in Cairo city.

     

     

     

  • El Merreikh offers U$ 40,000 for Uganda’s Mutyaba


     

    Mike Mutyaba in action for the Cranes against Burundi Goal Keeper Niyonzima during the recently concluded Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup in Dar es Salaam.

    Bunamwaya Sports Club and Cranes gifted player Mike  Mutyaba on Tuesday December 20 officially signed a 2 year contract with Sudanese giant premier club El Merriekh following a successful medical tests conducted by the Omdurman based club doctors. Bunamwaya Club secretary, Haruna Kyobe confirmed the development.

    Mutyaba came to the lime light during the 2005 Copa Coca Cola schools cup where he played for standard high school Zana. He was by then a senior one student. His impressive performances during t

    he tournament caught the eye of Kato Lawrence by then chairman of Wembley boys FC who immediately recruited him in his club.

    In 2006, St Mary’s Kitende enrolled him as its student hence coach Golola Edward keenly monitored his progress before he recommended the boy for inclusion in Bunamwaya’s squad.

    Bunamwaya Sports Club acted by paying Ug. Shs.1.000.000 for his release letter from Wembley snatching the player from the jaws of Express FC who had also showed interest in 2007. It took Muty

    aba very little time to emerge a starter in Bunamwaya’s lineups.

    El Merriekh spotted Mutyaba during this year’s CECAFA Kagame Cup where he had a great tournament with 4 assists and scored a wonderful goal against Simba FC of Tanzania in a quarter final duel which Simba finally won 2-1. The Sudanese club wanted to sign him shortly after CECAFA Kagame Cup but the player instead traveled to Turkey for trials, hence missing out.

    As a blessing in disguise, Mutyaba’s Turkey dreams failed to materialize giving El Merriekh an opportunity to resurrected their pursuit of the player. Mutyaba is currently in Uganda for the Christmas festive season and attend to some domestic issues before he returns to Khartoum  City to kick start his professional career.

    Bunamwaya SC has reaped $25000 US dollars from the deal while Mutyaba earned $15000 US dollars as sign on fee. The media had earlier carried out speculations, putting the figure at 100,000 US dollars. A monthly salary amounting to $ 3000 US dollars will be paid to him subject to increment, basing on his performance at the club.

    He is also entitled to other benefits that include a fully furnished house, 1000 US dollars for every win registered in CAF club competitions, 200 US Dollars  for every Sudanese premier league win recorded by his club and a bonus of 10,000 US dollars if he scores more than 12 league goals in a season.

    Mutyaba becomes the second Ugandan player to play in Sudan following Kabagambe Joseph who appears  for Al Neel FC in the same league.

     

     

  • 3 Non League teams set for Bell Uganda Cup

    URA's Augustine Nsumba will be one of the players to watch during the Bell Uganda Cup season

    Three non league teams have registered with FCC to take part in the Bell Uganda Cup.

    FUFA Competitions Committee secretary, Decolas Kiiza has identified them as Corporate Eleven (Nakawa), Villa Fans (Makindye) and Green Boys from Mpigi DFA. Kiiza said these teams should be included in the respective DFAs in order to play the preliminary rounds.

    All regional preliminary rounds should kick off by January 12, 2012 in order to have the qualifying teams for the round of 64 on time. Kiiza further disclosed that the regional slots were allocated as follows. Kampala takes 8 teams followed by Buganda with 5, Eastern 4 and Bunyoro Kitara 3. North eastern, Mid North, Western and West Nile will each send two teams.

    The teams legible for the preliminary round include FUFA regional teams, First Division clubs, Second Division clubs and any interested non league club. The latter have to register with the FCC and be issued with the Bell Uganda Cup licenses. Meanwhile, the normal league licenses shall be used for this tournament. Simba SC are the defending champions of Bell Uganda Cup. (By Rogers Mulindwa, Head of Communications-FUFA)

     

     

  • Beach soccer course ends

    FUFA CEO, Edgar Watson and the Principal of Entebbe Institute of Fisheries Gertrude Obote pose for a group photo with participants at the training in Entebbe

    The one week training course for beach soccer coaches and referees successfully ended at Entebbe institute of fisheries, Friday evening. This was the first training of its kind in Uganda. Talib Hilal, a FIFA instructor and coach of Oman’s National Beach Football team together with Sunday Okayi from the Nigerian FA were the two selected instructors by FIFA to conduct this training starting December 12.

    FUFA Vice president in charge of technical matters Livingstone Kyambadde presided over the closing ceremony. Kyambadde hailed the world football body, FIFa for the choice of instructors sent to Uganda to conduct this course. He said the course would help propel the game of beach football to higher levels. “We shall soon start assembling a competitive national team” said the Vice President.

    Kyambadde added that the Federation would ensure close supervision of the trained persons to help them pass the acquired knowledge and skills to the targeted beneficiaries. The course that was officially opened up by the CEO, Edgar Watson has had 30 coaches and 27 referees successfully completing their course.

  • Njeru Technical Centre very impressive-FIFA

    FIFA Development Officer Ashford Mamelodi being conducted around Njeru Technical Centre.

    “I am very satisfied, satisfied indeed. It’s a good work done” FIFA Development officer Ashford Mamelodi commented shortly after he had inspected Njeru Technical Centre on Wednesday morning.

    Mamelodi who is in the country on his routine visit had travelled to Njeru to assess the progress at the Technical Centre soon nearing total completion. He was in company of the Vice President in charge of Technical matters Livingstone Kyambadde and the CEO, Edgar Watson Suubi.

    The FIFA Development officer urged the federation to put the project to proper use in order to benefit the game of football. Mamelodi was conducted around the centre in presence of both the electronic and print media. They included both local and international journalists among whom, was the Super Sport crew.

    Mamelodi reacting to questions from the journalists at Njeru Technical Centre on December 14. Extreme right is FUFA CEO Edgar Watson Suubi

    Mamelodi commended both the contractors and the consultancy firm for the commendable job done.  He said this was one of the best Technical centres in the world.  The centre has a hostel that accommodates 45 people, a conference hall, and an artificial turf among other facilities. When asked whether, FIFA president Joseph Blatter would be here to officially open it, Mamelodi was non committal but promised to discuss the matter with him. “The FIFA President operates under a tight program. I shall put the request to him and if he doesn’t come, I am sure he will be well represented” Mamelodi responded to one of the questions from the journalists.

    In his communication, FUFA CEO Edgar Watson said the office of the Technical Director would shift from Mengo to Njeru shortly after the end of year festive season. He added that Njeru would mainly benefit the underage teams.

    (By Rogers Mulindwa-Head of Communications, FUFA)

  • FUFA rewards Cranes with U$ 20.000

    Celebrating Cranes

    The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has rewarded the gallant Cranes players with USD 20.000 (over UG Shs.50m) from the prize money they won after lifting this year’s Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup on Saturday.

    FUFA vice President in charge of Technical matters Livingstone Kyambadde who also led the delegation handed over the money to the players after consultations with the FA president Lawrence Mulindwa. Uganda won her 12th Cecafa title after eliminating Rwanda 3-2 on spot kicks.

    Kyambadde hailed the boys for the good fighting spirit exhibited throughout the tournament and commended the head coach Bobby Williamson for winning his third Cecafa title.

    Meanwhile midfielder Mudde Musa returned to Nairobi this morning while Mike Sserumaga, Sula Matovu, Robert Odongokara and Isaac Isinde are scheduled to connect direct to Addis Ababa from Dar es Salaam this Sunday.

    Cecafa General Secretary Nicholas Musonye said the next challenge cup could go to Nairobi in 2012 following Kenya’s interest to host it. The hosts of the club championship would be decided after the consultative meetings with the sponsors.

  • Uganda wins 12th Cecafa title

    Uganda are Cecafa champions 2011

    UGANDA lifted this year’s Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup after a post-match penalty shoot-out at the National Stadium of Dar es salaam City in Tanzania on Saturday.

    This becomes Uganda’s 12th title since 1973 and Coach Bobby Williamson’s third title since 2008. The Cranes came twice from behind to tie the match 2-2 after 90 minutes and after no scores in the extra-time, they took the title for the third time in four years by again coming from two penalties down to literally grab it in the pulsating finish.

    Uganda FA president Lawrence Mulindwa attended the thrilling finals. Meddie Kagere, a Uganda that acquired a Rwandese passport struck twice for Rwanda in normal time but each time Uganda came back, defender Isaac Isinde punishing the end of a blunder by Rwanda goalie Jean-Claude Ndori and then skipper Olivier Karekezi heading in an own goal from a Uganda corner. Rwanda, who were looking for their second title in the history of this challenge cup looked to have been more on pressure on the pitch than the widely experienced Ugandan side. Somali referee Wish Yabarow was the man in charge of the final game.

    Captain Mwesigwa receives the trophy from Zanzibar president Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein

    In the shoot-out, Uganda trailed after Moses Oloya and Habib Kavuma had both their kicks saved by Ndori but subsequently Rwanda’s Emery Bayisenge and Eric Gasana were unsuccessful with theirs handing the advantage to Uganda. Goalkeeper Abby Dhaira saved two penalties to earn Uganda a 3-2 win. This was Dhaira’s second Cecafa Challenge Cup after the 2008 tournament in Kampala where he conceded only one goal throughout the three week’s tight competition.

    From the beginning Rwanda played well neutralising Uganda’s power and speed approach. The Amavubi Stars were brilliant in their passing game and were disciplined in defence but also wasted a lot of time after their 1-0 lead. On the 51st minute, Jean-Claude Iranzi found Kagere with a perfect pass on the left flank and the delightful finisher approached Cranes ‘keeper Abby Dhaira from the edge of the box then beating him with a low shot to the far post.

    But on the day, Rwanda’s undoing was jittery goalkeeping by Ndori. The Ugandans seemed to realize it and kept bombarding him. Sula Matovu rattled the cross bar after Ndori had punched Kavuma’s free kick in his way on 73 minutes but four minutes later, another free kick from Kavuma found Oloya on the far post and his cut-back was ferociously volleyed in by Isinde Isaac inside to draw level.

    Rwanda went ahead again two minutes later with Kagere evading Kavuma and Isinde before beating Dhaira on his right for his second of the day. Uganda were level again to complete the crazy three minutes but this time Karekezi heading in his own net from a corner under pressure from Kiiza on 80 minute.

    In the classification match played earlier at 1:00pm, Sudan edged defending champions Tanzania Mainland 1-0 to win the bronze medal. Mohammed Shaikh Eldin scored the winner with a stunning striker six minutes from time to settle an entertaining encounter. Tanzania went closest on 76 minutes with Mwinyi Kazimoto rattling the upright with the keeper beaten.

    Then came the defining moment as Eldin, who had come as a substitute for the injured Amir Suleiman, collected a pass from the midfield and arrowed a powerful shot into the far corner from 25 yards. Zanzibari President Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein was the Chief Guest. (Posted by Rogers Mulindwa-Head of communications, FUFA)

  • Zanzibari President for Cranes clash

    Goal keeper Abby Dhaira will be up the task in today's finals

    The Cecafa organizing Committee has confirmed that the President of Zanzibar, Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein will be the chief guest as Uganda and Rwanda clash in the finals of this year’s Cecafa Tusker Challenge Cup at the National stadium here in Dar es salaam City this Saturday.

    Somali Referee Wish Yabarow who officiated last year’s finals has again been handed another chance to handle this highly anticipated clash. He will be assisted by Egueh Hassan from Djibouti and Ida Mohamed from Sudan. Tanzania’s Israel Mujuni is the standby referee while Tariq Atta from Sudan is the designated Match Commissioner. Uganda will miss the services of Godfrey Walusimbi who picked up a second yellow card against Tanzania last Thursday.

    Coach Bobby Williamson

    Cecafa General Secretary Nicholas Musonye told a pre-match meeting last evening that the Zanzibari President had accepted the committee’s invitation to preside over the finals that will be showed live on Super Sport, Channel 9. The winners walk away with a cash prize of U$ 30.000 while U$ 20.000 and U$10.000 goes towards the first and second runner’s ups respectively.

    Rwanda looks to maintaining their unbeaten record in this tournament and their second title as the Uganda Cranes focuses on winning their 12th Cecafa title. Rwanda last won this challenge cup in 1999 when their side ‘B’ edged Kenya 3-1 in the finals in Kigali. They have however lost all their finals on away grounds while Uganda has won most of her titles away from home.

    In 2003, Uganda registered a humiliating 3-0 win against Rwanda in Khartoum City . In 2007, Rwanda still lost the title to Sudan on spot kicks here in Dar es salaam after a 2-all draw in the normal and extra time. The Cranes again flew over Rwanda’s Amavubi in 2009 when they met in the finals away in Nairobi. Uganda won 2-0. Team Captain Andy Mwesigwa has assured Ugandans that he would return to Kampala with a title on Monday.

    Hosts Tanzania will play Sudan in the classification game at 1:00pm before the final kick off at 3:30pm.

  • Misindye-Kwania clash pushed to Dec 17

    Isa Magoola-VP in charge of all competitions

    The Federation Competitions Committee has put off the Big League clash between Misindye and Kwania and pushed it forward to December 17.

    The FCC Secretary Decolas Kiiza said his office had received a request from Kwania Football club asking for a change in fixture due to the end of year examinations that will be going on at the Uganda College of Commerce around the same time. Kiiza said the reasons advanced to the committee were genuine since most of their players were students in this institution and would be writing their final examinations.

    “The Fufa Big League rules (G[1]) empowers my committee to take such decisions and the match will now be played on Saturday December 17 at Namboole stadium”. Kiiza clarified adding that the kick off time remained 4:30pm.

    This will now be the last match before we break off for the festive season. This Saturday, Boroboro Tigers host Ndejje University in Lira, Wandegeya travels to play Mbale Heroes and Kirinya hosts Soroti garage in Kakindu stadium. On December 15, Ndejje University will host Misindye, Sharing Youth plays Iganga Municipality, Old Timers will be visiting CRO in Mbale and Jinja Municipality will host Entebbe at Kakindu ground.

    Meanwhile on Thursday this week, Kwania lost 3-2 to Ndejje University in Luweero, Aurum Roses picked a 2-0 win away against Joggo Young, Koboko and Kira Young played to a goalless draw while Sharing Youth edged Kirinya 1-0. Elsewhere, Victoria University and Misindye shared points after a 2-2 draw, Soroti Garage lost their home game 0-1 to CRO, Jinja Municipality forced a 1-all draw against Wandegeya, Old Timers won 2-1 against Entebbe and Iganga Municipality beat Mbale Heroes 2-1.

     

  • Cranes make TZ Uhuru celebrations ‘half boring’

    Saturday: Tanzania Vs Sudan (1:30pm), Uganda Vs Rwanda (3:30pm)

    Emmanuel Okwi played his best game in this tournament.

    The Uganda Cranes will obviously be the major topic in Tanzania this Friday as natives gather to celebrate 50 years of independence. The long awaited celebrations got tainted yesterday when the home team lost 3-1 to a more focused Ugandan side in the last semi final of this year’s Cecafa Tusker challenge cup. Rwanda had earlier dumped Sudan 2-1 in the first semi.

    Both semi-finals were classics, Rwanda outpointing Sudan and Uganda, in the end, draining the energy out of Tanzania Mainland to win 3-1 in extra time. Therefore, on Saturday, Uganda will meet Rwanda in the Finals. It will be Rwanda’s fifth Final, their sole title so far having come in the inaugural one at home in 1999 when their “B” side [they had entered two] thrashed Kenya 3-1. Uganda looks for a 12th title since 1973. Mrisho Ngassa exploited his supreme pace to give Tanzania Mainland the lead after 18 minutes; chasing a long ball into no-man’s land to punish a stranded goalie Abby Dhaira.

    Serumaga took a corner headed home by Mwesigwa but he later got a yellow card prompting the coach to substitute him. Dhaira wanted to play his acrobatic skills by chest-controlling the ball that went   down  through his armpit as he dramatically stretched the hands. Mrisho ran fast behind him to push the ball into the net. Half time ended 1-0 but in the 56 minute, Cranes Captain Andrew Mwesigwa rose up above a bemused defender Shaban Nditi and powerfully headed in a beautiful equalizer from a corner taken by Mike Serumaga.

    The 90 minutes ended 1-1 before Uganda, who had been let off the hook on three occasions, ran away with victory, confirmed by a great goal from substitute Emmanuel Okwi and a penalty by Cranes defender Isaac Isinde. Both sides started the game with intent, Ngassa testing the Cranes ‘keeper Dhaira and Hamisi Kiiza giving Juma Kaseja in the Tanzania goal some work when he met Sula Matovu’s cross from the left in opening exchanges. The Matovu-Kiiza combination seem to have worked well in these last two games.

    But Tanzania started to take care of proceedings. First Juma Jabu escaped Mwesigwa’s marking with the goalkeeper to beat but shot over. The alarm bells continued ringing for the Uganda defence and the door had to yield to Tanzanian’s early pressure. The 90 minutes couldn’t however produce a winner, just like last year, and extra time had to be called on by the Ethiopian referee Bamlak Tessema.

    Shaban Nditi will rue contributing the miss of the tournament when he inexplicably headed off the line with Dhaira at sea before again firing wide a minute later. Okwi should have punished the Tanzanians on the other end but Kaseja, for the umpteenth time thwarted him. But when Simeon Masaba crossed from the right, Okwi jumped highest in the 102nd minute to head past Kaseja for a 2-1. Isaac Isinde sealed the win with a well taken penalty in the 110th minute.

    In the first semi final, only the veteran ‘captain marvel’ Olivier Karekezi could have forced the decider of this cliff-hanger. His spectacular goal 12 minutes from time knocked the breath out of Sudan. Karekezi controlled the ball, forced himself free from tight double-marking in the six-yard box to beat Sudan goalie Elmoiz Mahgoub from the narrowest of angles at the left near post. Rwanda had taken a first half lead through Jean-Claude Iranzi before Ramadhan Agab equalized in the second half.

     

  • Oman Instructor for Beach course


    Coming: Instructor Talib Hilal

    Talib Hilal, a FIFA instructor and coach of Oman’s National Beach Football team, has been picked by FIFA to conduct a week-long coaches’ course here in the Uganda starting on December 12.

    Talib, will be expected in Uganda on December 10 to commence with his work on Monday day. The Federation CEO, Edgar Watson commended the world football body FIFA, for the choice to send Talib whom he said had a vast experience in beach soccer that would widely benefit the local federation.

    A total of 30 participants have been selected to take part in this course, the first of its kind in the country. “It’s a good choice for us and we wait with eagerness to receive him” said Watson. Talib will be accommodated at Imperial Botanical Hotel.

    Under Talib, Oman has blossomed in beach football and their national team qualified for the 2011 FIFA World Cup Beach Soccer held in Ravenna, Italy earlier this year. The instructor conducted a similar course in Yemen in 2010.

    Last year, Oman Beach team finished on top in the inaugural GCC Beach Games in Bahrain. The same coach also led Oman to a gold medal win at the inaugural Asian Beach Games in Bali in 2008.

    Watson said the course would be conducted from the Fisheries Training Institute in Entebbe with the practical sessions at Lido beach. Beach soccer is two-year old Uganda with Kabalangala Rangers as the champions of this year’s league. (Posted by Rogers Mulindwa, Head of Communications-FUFA)

  • New Members named on FUFA Judicial Bodies

    As part of the on-going changes in the bodies of FUFA and considering the expiry of the term of the FUFA Judicial Bodies, FUFA has named new members of the  FUFA Legal Standing Committee and FUFA Judicial Bodies (FUFA Disciplinary & FUFA Appeals Committee).

    The FUFA Constitution, as guided by FIFA, requires some of the members of the Judicial bodies to have a legal background.

    Mr. Ojok Geoffrey Odur, a practicing advocate with Ambrose Tebyasa & Co. Advocates has been named as the Chairman of the FUFA Discplinary Committee.

    The others are:

    Mr. Daudi Balondemu, Advocate with Web Advocates and Solicitors as the Vice Chairman of the FUFA DC while Mr. Nyonyintono Asuman, an advocate with Wagabaza C.K. Advocates is the new Secretary.

    Mr. Kasalirwe Edrisa is the only member retained from the old committee while Mr. Lubega Jacob is the fifth member of the FUFA DC

    The Former Chairman of the FUFA Disciplinary Committee, Rev Canon Nsamba has been moved higher to the Appeals Body.

    The committees in full;

    FUFA Legal Committee
    1 Chairman Bazilengedde Mohammed
    2 V. Chairman Mayanja Bulamu
    3 Secretary Luganda Alex
    4 Member Byamukama Jude
    5 Member Nsimbi Francis
         
    FUFA Discplinary Committee
    1 Chairman Ojok Oder Geofrey
    2 V. Chairman Balondemu Daudi
    3 Secretary Nyonyintono Asuman Mulawa
    4 Member Kasalirwe Edrisa
    5 Member Lubega Jacob
         
    FUFA Appeals Committee
    1 Chairman Kiboneka Richard
    2 V. Chairman Canon Nsamba Bukenya
    3 Secretary Kunya Henry
    4 Member Ssekana Musa
    5 Member Ssekatte Elvis
         

  • Reserve League put to hold

    Mujib Kasule, VP in charge USL

    The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has directed that the kick off of the Uganda Super League Reserve competition be put on hold until some urgent requirements are fulfilled. The Federation has cited a number of irregularities in its organisation.

    Elsewhere, Uganda’s National Women Team now code named “Crested Cranes” will travel to Egypt next week for an international friendly match against the home side on December 14. The team is preparing for the 8th Africa women championship where they play DR Congo in January 2012.

    The USL Reserve league is a very brilliant idea but the issues to do with rules, licenses and logistics among others have not yet been put clear before the Federation. “It is a good product but the manner in which it was put in place will not serve the purpose. We do not want to push out a baby and it dies after just weeks,” Mujib Kasule, the FA Vice President in charge of USL said. The Federation doesn’t have any intentions to block the competition and it will be cleared as soon as our concerns are addressed by the organizers.

    Meanwhile Hoima FC have tendered in an appeal to the FUFA Appeals Committee on the financial fine imposed on them by the USL upon reinstating them in the Premier League. The appeal is on the UG Shs. 30m required of them by USL as a fine. The Appeals Committee chaired by a Kampala prominent Lawyer Richard Kiboneka sits soon to pronounce itself on this appeal.

    Contrary to FUFA directive for Busia-based merger club to be accepted in the top flight competition, USL last week kept them out of action arguing that they had failed to pay sh32m as required by the organizers. This provoked Hoima to petition FUFA for an intervention.
    The club had reportedly presented a Kenyan bank cheque as commitment to USL chairman Kavuma Kabenge just before the deadline, which he rejected and demanded for cash on their account.
    In another development, a referees’ fitness test will be conducted for referees who will officiate the Super League matches. It is scheduled for Saturday 10th December 2011 starting 7:00am in Mandela National Stadium. The exercise will be conducted by FRSC in presence of Fitness Instructor Haruna  Kebba Haruna. Chief Executive Officer Edgar Watson warned that no referee would be appointed to handle a league match without passing this fitness test.

    (By Rogers Mulindwa-Head of Communications, FUFA)

  • FUFA Suspends Denis Guma

    Suspended: Denis Guma

    FUFA Disciplinary Committee has suspended SC Villa player Denis Guma from all the Federation organized matches for a period of one month for mysteriously disappearing from the National team camp on November 6 this year.

    The Cranes player will also have to miss three consecutive super League matches with his registered club of SC Villa as part of the punishment. In addition, he is required to pay a fine of Shs.500.000 (Five Hundred thousand shillings) before being cleared to play subsequent games.

    Guma disappeared from the Cranes camp just days before the team travelled to Casablanca in Morocco for the LG cup. Speaking about the verdict, the Federation CEO Edgar Watson said this would serve as an example to other players and help instill discipline among them. It had earlier been alleged that Guma sneaked out of the camp to travel abroad for professional trials but to our surprise, he featured for his club in a league match a day after the national team had left.

    Edgar further added that such disciplinary actions had helped tame other players before. He cited examples of Cranes players Tonny Mawejje, Abubaker Tabula and Mike Serumagga who suffered a six months suspension from all football activities for the same offence between 2006 and 2008. Striker Serumagga and Tabula were suspended for absconding from the Cranes team that prepared to play a friendly game against Libya while Mawejje escaped from the camp as the team prepared for a Nations Cup qualifier.

    Uganda finished second in the four nations LG Cup last month behind Cameroon and won U$ 30.000 (about UG Shs78m) in prize money. (Issued by Rogers Mulindwa, Head of Communications-FUFA)