The Uganda Cranes head coach, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredejovic has released the starting XI to face Tunisia on Wednesday evening.
After this game, the coach will name the final 23 man squad to be submitted to CAF for the Total Africa Cup of Nations finals 2017.
The coach is confident; “The Uganda Cranes players arrived in a very good shape after the last two weeks of rigorous training back home. It is time for the boys to show their mantle. It will be a very tough and great opportunity for us to try to stop them and try to learn a few things from them in relation to our opponents Egypt in AFCON Group D. I think it’s important for us and for them to try to win and try to stop them and bring confidence ahead of AFCON finals.We shall play our own game with a lot of consciousness on their technical and tactical abilities”.
Uganda Cranes is ready for Wednesday’s match against Tunisia after holding a successful training at Stadio Olympique El Menzah on Tuesday evening.
The team had a feel of the Stadio Olympique El Menzahuh the matchday venue, for two hours before paving way for the Tunisian side to train as it is mandated by FIFA for each team to feel the pitch on the pre-match day.
During the training, coach Micho’s drills were cantered most on pitch orientation and weather acclimatization and indeed everything worked on well.
Players responded very well to the drills as there was no injury concern by close of business.
Uganda Cranes players pray before the training session in Tunisia on Tuesday evening
Micho: This will be a selection match
Head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevich confirmed to www.fufa.co.ug, that he will use the game to choose the final squad that will represent Uganda in Africa Cup of Nations final in Gabon.
The match against Tunisia is purely a selection match where I will field a team to help us assess who should make it into the final 23 man squad.
The players are ready for Wednesday’s match when he looked at the way they reacted to the last training.
I express my sincere satisfaction with the standard of their training and am optimistic my players will deliver during the match
Micho promised to do their utmost to get the expected results in Tunisia as this will give confidence to the players ahead of AFCON finals.
“The boys have shown determination to do well in this continental assignment and I want to call on Ugandans to rally behind the Cranes as this game is one of them. And the journey starts tomorrow” he added.
Odongokara Arrives to boost camp
St George goalkeeper Robert Odongokara joined the team on Tuesday afternoon and managed to train with the rest of the group.
The skilled goalkeeper had been held back at the club in Ethiopia as they were having a crucial game in the Ethiopian Premier League.
Uganda Cranes goalkeeping coach, Fred Kajoba with the three goalkeepers during the last training session on Tuesday. Robert Odongkara joined Salim Jamal and Benjamin Ochan who had left with the team in Kampala
The giant shot stopper becomes the first player to arrive out of the three, who were unable to join the team call-up on time,
Meanwhile midfielder William Luwagga Kizito, who ply his trade at Clube De Rio Ave in Portuguese Premier League will be the next player to arrive on Wednesday.
Luwagga was also held back by the club for a crucial tie.
Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) Chief Executive Officer Edgar Watson will attend the CAF Glo Awards in Abuja.
Along with Uganda Cranes and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper, Dennis Onyango, Uganda will be ably represented.
Onyango is nominated among the three best locally based footballers in Africa alongside teammate and Zimbabwe forward Khama Billiat as well as Zambia and TP Mazembe midfielder Reinford Kalaba.
The goalkeeper was part of the historic Uganda Cranes side that qualified for the AFCON finals (since 1978), won the league in South Africa, the Africa Champions league and also played at the FIFA World Club Championship.
The FUFA Chief Executive Officer, Edgar Watson warmly wlecomes a FIFA delegation upon arrival in Uganda.
Both the CEO and Onyango depart the country on Wednesday
Uganda Cranes is also nominated for the team of the year.
Uganda was nominated alongside DR Congo, Senegal, Nigeria U-23 and Guinea Bissau among the best achievers of the year, 2016.
The Uganda Cranes defied all the odds to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon 2017 for the first time in over 38 years.
This was after finishing second in group D in a group West Africans Burkina Faso led by mere head to head record.
St George goalkeeper Robert Odongkara has joined the Uganda national team on Tuesday afternoon.
The goalkeeper left Addis Ababa on Tuesday night where he has been with his club.
He later too part in the team’s last training session ahead of the international friendly match with Tunisia on Wednesday, 4th January 2017 at the El Menzah Olympic Stadium.
Robert Odongkara with the Uganda Cranes kits manager, Saidi Lugolobi
Meanwhile midfielder William Luwagga Kizito, who plies his trade with Clube De Rio Ave in Portuguese Premier League will be the next player to arrive on Wednesday, was also held back by the club for a crucial tie.
“Onyango and Luwagga will be last players to join the team. We expect Luwagga to arrive on Wednesday evening because they had a crucial game in the league so we couldn’t deny him the opportunity to play first then Onyango will be attending CAF Awards Ceremony and will join us immediately after that.
Team Coordinator Uganda Cranes Crispus Muyinda told www.fufa.co.ug
FUFA has learnt with shock the death of Mr. Chris Rwanika.
Rwanika who served as General Secretary of FUFA during the Denis Obua led administration passed on Tuesday. He was also FUFA President in 1985.
‘We have received the sad news of the loss of Chris Rwanika. The sport has been hit by tough times in the past one week where we lost football fans and players from Buliisa who died on Lake Albert when their boat they were using capsized and then Uganda Crested Cranes player Gladys Nakitto lost her father’ said FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo.
‘Chris Rwanika was an integral part in recording keeping at FUFA. The current generation of football leaders and in administration learnt alot from him. His vast knowledge on football history in Uganda clearly showed how much he loved the game’ added Magogo.
Burial arrangements will be released in due course.
The Uganda Cranes team trained once again at El Menzha Stadium (outside pitch) on Monday evening (4:30 p.m East Africa Standard Time).
The team managed to go through vigorous trainings for over two hours as they further acclimatize more to the cold weather in Tunisia.
While having their sessions, coach Sredejovic Micho Milutin emphasized most on creating scoring opportunities, attacking and defending in numbers, space awareness and agility of players on the pitch.
Micho think the boys are in good shape to put up a good competition against Tunisia come Wednesday having displayed a great show at the training session.
Uganda Cranes players during training on Monday evening in TunisiaThe two Uganda Cranes goalkeepers who trained on Tuesday; Benjamin Ochan and Salim Jamal. They will be joined by St George goalkeeper Robert Odongkara on Tuesday
“The players have responded well to the training sessions and now we have a task ahead of us to come up with the 23 man squad for AFCON finals.” Micho stated.
“Each of these players has shown his best so we shall use Tunisia’s trial match to choose the final 23 for AFCON in Gabon and the rest will be on standby mode.”
All players completed the training very well and Ugandans should be hopeful of good results on Wednesday.
Micho demonstrates to the players as assistant coach Moses Basena keeps a keen eye
The team will train at the same time on Tuesday in Match day venue as it’s mandated by Fifa Competition rules.
TUNISIA TRAINS
Meanwhile Tunisian national football team also trained at the same time but in the main stadium where the match will be held.
Tunisia national team training on Monday evening
Away from Tunisian game, Uganda has also lined up with other two international friendlies against Ivory Coast and Slovakia in Dubai before heading to the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
The build up against Slovakia will be played on the 8th January 2017 and the last one against the current Africa Champions will come three days later.
Uganda Cranes and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Onyango Denis, William Luwagga Kizito and Robert Odongkara are yet to join the National team from their respective bases but head coach Sredejovic ‘Micho’ Milutin is very much aware of the trio’s club engagements.
Micho says he is not under any sort of pressure but expects the trio to link up with the team soon.
‘Odongkara is on the way coming from Ethiopia, Luwagga (Portugal) has a game at his club and Onyango will be attending CAF Awards Ceremony but has a full training programme before he joins the team’ said Micho shortly after the team’s training.
‘We are looking forward to have a check up against Tunisia. It is not a preparation match but a selection match because after that match we shall announce the 23 man squad for the AFCON finals in Gabon’ added Micho.
He commended players’ commitment and promises Ugandans good performances while in Gabon.
“Players commitment and dedication has been so amazing and am really so happy for them.”
Micho also took advantage to thank FUFA and the Government of Uganda plus the sponsors for making the atmosphere conducive for the team to train.
The Uganda Cranes players took part in the Gym session on Monday morning at the Ramada Lounge Hotel Gym in Tunisia.
The session followed Sunday evening’s ball work drills shortly after the team had checked in at Tunis International Airport from Dubai.
Joseph Ochaya in the gymFC Ilves striker Yunus Sentamu during the work outs
They are set for another ball work session later on Monday evening at the Menzah Stadium at 3:30 local time (5:30pm East Africa Standard time).
All the players are healthy and responding well to the training sessions.
Having arrived safely in Tunisia, the Uganda Cranes team has conducted some light training at El Menzah Stadium on Sunday evening.
During the training session, the team players focused mostly on muscle fixation, ball work and creating scoring opportunities.
Positively, the players response was a top notch as all of them enjoyed the session which they completed with success.
Goalkeeper Salim Jamal during training in TunisiaSome of the Uganda Cranes players in a talk session before the training sessionUganda Cranes players in a warm up session in Tunisia on Sunday evening
Briefing players before training, head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredejovich tasked them to focus on the forth coming friendly game on Wednesday.
Uganda Cranes head coach Micho with his assistant Moses Basena along with a Tunisia Football Federation official on Sunday
‘I want to thank you all for the commitment and dedication you have exhibited in training for the last two weeks at home but remember that is work half done.
Today our journey to Africa Cup of Nations final has started.
Training hard and being fit are some of those aspects we need if we are to perform well in AFCON but mental strength as well as team work will be paramount in our cause and approach’ Micho stated.
Uganda will play three friendly matches against Tunisia, Slovakia and Ivory coast before going for the continental premier show piece that commences on 14th this month in Gabon.
Ramada Hotel where the Uganda Cranes team is accomodated in Tunisia.
Uganda will lock horns with some of the African giants in Group D which comprises of Ghana, Mali and Egypt
The team will continue with the training on Monday at 3:30 PM Tunisian time (5:30PM EST) at the same venue.
Uganda Cranes contingent has safely landed in the Tunisian capital Tunis on Sunday afternoon ahead of the training camp and the first international friendly game against Tunisia on 4th January.
The team joined the other players who had arrived earlier on Saturday,Moses Oloya, Geoffrey Baba Kizito and Hassan Wasswa.
The trio connected to Tunisia directly from their respective clubs.
Striker Yunus Sentamu walks alongside defender Isaac Isinde upon arrival at Tunis International AirportLeader of delegation Hamid Juma (right) with the team doctor, Ronald Kisolo in Tunisia
The team ushered in the new year 2017 in Dubai and enjoyed the early moments of the year.
Uganda Cranes players and official celebrate the new year in style in Dubai
The international friendly game will be the first for the team ahead of preparations for the Total 2017 Africa Cup of Nations that commences on 14th January 2017 in Gabon.
The game will be played In Tunisian Capital city Tunis at the Menzah Olympic stadium on Wednesday 4th January 2017 at 2.30pm local time.
Ramada Hotel where the Uganda Cranes team is accomodated in Tunisia
The team is accommodated at Ramada Plaza Hotel a 20 minutes drive away from Tunis International Airport.
*Training Program*
The team will conduct a light training session at El Menza Stadium at 3:00 pm (Tunisian time).
The National soccer team-Uganda Cranes journey to Tunisia has been delayed by a day in Dubai. The Contingent left on Friday night 8 pm aboard Ethiopian Airlines with the initial flight schedule that would take them via Dubai before connecting to Tunisia on Saturday morning.
Bad weather in Dubai saw the flight crew fly to Doha as a safety measure where the team spent the night.
However clearance was granted to the flight crew to finally fly to Dubai but this came with challenges on many connections including the one that would have taken the Ugandan team on time to Tunis.
Left fullback Ochaya Joseph (L) and Kits man Saidi Lugolobi had time for a smile in Ethiopia despite the delay in flight connections from Dubai to Tunisa.
The team will now usher in the new year 2017 at the Emirates Business Lounge in Dubai before flying out on Sunday to Tunis.
‘We have finalised plans for the team to fly to Tunisia on Sunday morning. It has been a challenge due to reasons beyond our control that resulted into this delay. The team is relaxed’ said Leader of Delegation Hamid Juma.
Uganda Cranes is scheduled to play friendly matches against Tunisia, Slovakia and Ivory Coast before flying to Gabon for the Total AFCON Finals 2017.
Uganda is in group D with Ghana, Egypt and Mali.
MAIN PHOTO: Magnetic Uganda Cranes-a European fan flashing a victory sign with a smile after seeing the players
On Friday evening, the Uganda Cranes team will be leaving Entebbe International Airport aboard Ethiopian Airlines for Tunisia where they will hold a training camp and an international build up with Tunisia on Wednesday, 4th January 2017.
The team left Serene Suites Hotel in Mutundwe at around 4 p.m as the contingent was officially flagged off by the FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo who wished the team fruitful deliberations in the training camps and at the final tournament.
They will be departing Entebbe by 8:00 p.m.
Some of the Uganda Cranes players with the FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo at Serene Suites, Mutundwe
Eng. Magogo has appealed to the players to strive for the best and have belief at the AFCON finals.
“Like we believed that we could qualify to the biggest stage of African football after over 39 years of trying, work hard and have the belief you will make it at the finals. I wish you the very best” Eng. Magogo stated in his brief address before the players and officials at Serene Suites Hotel.
FUFA President addresses the players at Serene Suites, Mutundwe
Historic captain Geofrey Massa echoed his charges determination and diligence while at the championship.
“We shall work as a unit, follow instructions as we target pulling off the best possible results” Massa, who plays at Baroka Football Club hinted.
Standard Liege’s Faruku Miya, scorer of the lone strike against Comoros that saw Uganda Cranes return to the big stage was equally confident.
“All we have to do is to have confidence in ourselves. Anything is possible with hard work and belief” Miya told www.fufa.co.ug.
After the Tunisia camp, the team will then fly out to Abu Dhabi for friendlies against Slovakia and Ivory Coast on the 8th and 11th January 2017 respectively.
The 26 man squad named;
Goalkeepers: Odongkara Robert, Benjamin Ochan, Salim Jamal, Denis Onyango
Rest of the squad: Denis Iguma, Nicholas Wadada, Joseph Ochaya, Murushid Juuko, Shafiq Batambuze, Godfrey Walusimbi, Isaac Isinde, Hassan Wasswa, Timothy Awanyi, Mike Azira, Tonny Mawejje, Geoffrey Kizito, Luwagga Kizito Moses Oloya, Muzamir Mutyaba, Khalid Aucho, Geoffrey Massa, Idris Lubega, Muhammad Shaban, Geoffrey Serunkuma, Yunus Sentamu and Faruku Miya.
Four foreign based players Luwagga Kizito, Geoffrey Kizito, Moses Oloya and Robert Odongkara will connect from their respective clubs to Tunisia while Denis Onyango is under special fitness training session.
FUFA has learnt of the shocking news that Uganda Cranes defender Murushid Juuko lost one of his newly born triplets.
Juuko who has been named in the 26 man squad to Tunisia was part of the final training session at Islamic Univeristy In Uganda, Kabojja on Friday morning.
He was full of energy and going in for clean tackles.
‘It is very sad for our player to lose his newly born baby. We know what he is going through but we shall give him the support as he is part of another strong Uganda Cranes family’ said FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo.
Uganda Cranes coach Milutin Sredojevic is equally saddened by the news but believes the young defender’s strong heart will help him overcome the state in a record time.
“We are all saddened by the death for one of newly born triplets. As a family, we are with him at heart and pray he overcomes the shock in a record time. Murushid remains a strong player and his character has been shown in the early morning training session held on Friday. May the Almighty bless him” Sredojevic said of Jjuuko.
Jjuuko is part of the squad named for the Tunisia training camp.
The FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo met Uganda Cranes players and officials at their residential camp at Serene Suites, Mutundwe on Thursday 29th December 2016.
While in the meeting the President appreciated the players for the hard work especially at the training that started on the 13th November 2016 and winding up on 30th December 2016.
“I would like thank you for the hard work exhibited especially during the training sessions” Said Eng. Magogo.
FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo (4th from left) accompanied by the other team officials during the meeting with the Uganda Cranes players
The FUFA President further asked players and officials to give in a lot more because they are to spend more than a month with the National team during the preparations and the AFCON finals in Gabon.
“You need to put more than before because this period calls for a lot of your time and keeping away from the families and activities” he added.
He went ahead and requested players to capture this life time moment when he told players that the whole world will be watching the biggest show case of African football.
Players and officials were also informed how the federation is working tirelessly to provide whatever can enhance the team’s performance.
Some of the Uganda Cranes players in the meeting
“It is not that FUFA has lots of money on its accounts but we are doing our best to provide very thing that we get rid of excuse” cautioned Eng Magogo.
The Federation introduced a code of conduct to regulate and control all members of the team where every member will be given a copy to read, comprehend and later sign on the copy.
The code of conduct entails of the dos and don’ts of the team together with the corrective measures in case of misconduct.
Uganda Cranes and Charlotte Independence defender Henry Kalungi has initiated the Henry Kalungi foundation.
The foundation is intended to help the under privileged children in the society who aspire to play football at the biggest stage in life.
On Wednesday, Kalungi who was accompanied by his wife Jacqueline Kalungi, Tom and Susan Gunderson, SC Villa CEO Ivan Kakembo among others, took to Buganda Road Primary School playground to give to charity.
He demonstrated football skills to children from the neighboring slums of Makerere Kivulu and Katanga before donating scholastic and football gear as a way of motivating them.
“1 Chron 16:34 “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever”! Today has been a wonderful day as we celebrated our Christmas party in the Henry Kalungi foundation.God is good and there is a lot to be thankful for.I thank all my family that worked tirelessly to make sure the kids are taken care of and all our friends that helped make this day special.We managed to give gifts to most of the kids.Over 300 kids ate and enjoyed soft drinks. We are looking forward to doing our best to change kids lives.Thank you everyone and God bless you all.We shall post more pictures later and videos” Kalungi wrote on his official facebook page.
The foundation is going to aid the under-privileged children.
Kalungi has already earned 15 caps with the Uganda national team. He believes in the power of volunteering.
“Volunteering, the selfless service of charitable work is noble, rewarding, and challenging. Just like it is important to ensure a future for Children, it is equally important to ensure the welfare and lives of our Children.
Uganda Cranes on Wednesday continued with their residential training ahead of the Total Africa Cup of Nations championship that will be held in Gabon.
The morning session was dedicated to theory and practical education with the refereeing department to help the players be abreast of the latest laws of the game.
In the evening, the players took to the field of play at IUIU Girls Campus in Kabojja where they conducted a number of drills with and without the ball.
Uganda Cranes players in a ball juggling session at IUIU Girls Campus, Kabojja
The afternoon session lasted for about 2 and a half hours with ball work, short game situation with offensive and defensive formations.
They were joined by Mamelodi Sundowns goalie, Dennis Onyango who watched the entire training session.
Dennis Onyango, Stone Kyambadde, Ahmed Hussein and Chrispus Muyinda watch the Uganda Cranes training at IUIU Campus, Kabojja on Wednesday
Onyango confirmed to www.fufa.co.ug that the resting period which he was granted by the technical and medical departments has been so useful to facilitate his full recovery.
Many may think i have been totally resting. No, i have been working out on the upper body but nevertheless, the rest has been so useful to help me recover from the fatigue after a long season.
Uganda Cranes head coach, Milutin Sredejovic in training with the players during the work outs at Kabojja
Meanwhile, Standard Liege midfielder Faruku Miya arrived on Wednesday night and was driven straight to the team base at Serene Suites in Mutundwe.
The FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo addressed the media on Wednesday, 28th December 2016 at FUFA House in Mengo, Kampala.
Flanked by the FUFA Finance Director, Decolas Kiiza, Communications Director (Ahmed Hussein), Chairman FUFA Referees standing committee, Chris Kalibala, FUFA Competitions Director Ali Mwebe, National teams’ officer (Patrick Ntege), 1978 Uganda Cranes legendary goalkeeper Paul Ssali and other FUFA Staff members, Eng. Magogo’s speech was decimated by appreciation, achievements of 2016, projections for the years ahead as well as the stumbling blocks faced therein.
With a keen emphasis, the FUFA President hinted on the 9 priority areas that the federation has streamlined for the next five years.
The nine areas are; Strategic plan (2017-2022), Consolidate whatever we have achieved, Project Cameroon 2019 is a reality, Infrastructure (Civil projects at Lugazi and Kadiba), Being part of advocacy for new sports law, working for stake holders confidence, Regional football development, clubs’ pro agenda, Elections for FUFA elective positions in 2017.
The FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo
www.fufa.co.ug outlines the detailed speech (word by word).
Dear Fellow Countrymen, the citizens of the nation of football and sports in Uganda, ladies and gentlemen, kindly receive my End of Year Message as the President of FUFA.
I must state that if 2015 was a golden year for Ugandan Football, 2016 has been diamond.
Message of Appreciation
I thank the Almighty Allah for the gift of life, wisdom, health, strength, and luck that He has bestowed onto me and my administration.
I also take the opportunity to thank HE The President of the Republic of Uganda Rtd Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the Support he has given whenever approached. I equally thank the Minister of Education & Sports, Mama Janet Museveni and the entire government functionality for the environment and support.
FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo addresses the media
I thank my family for enduring my absence for long hours, bad moods caused by football and for comforting me whenever the going gets tough.
The support we have received from the FIFA President, Mr Infantino Gianni and the entire functionality at FIFA and also from the CAF President, Mr. Issa Hayatou and the entire functionality at CAF has been immense. The support, interaction and experience sharing from Presidents of Football Federation in Africa and the World has been equally important to our success story.
I thank my Executive Committee with whom we have come this far but also the Honourable FUFA Delegates, staff at FUFA, National team Players and Staff, the Committees, Referees, coaches, Clubs, and members of FUFA without whom we could not register any success.
I thank Airtel the Official Sponsors of the Uganda Cranes and Nile Breweries, NIC, BIDCO, Eco Bank, Azam and other Clubs and football corporate Sponsors who have provided money for the game of football.
I also thank Mr. Lawrence Mulindwa for scouting, nurturing and giving me an opportunity and support to exploit my God-given gifts by serving the game I love.
I have loved the critics who have pushed me to think and work harder. The positive and critical media have been very important to the achievements.
The people who spend to finance football from their personal income from the lowest to the highest level and the persons who have sacrificed their time to volunteer as coaches, players, referees and administrators again from the lowest to the highest level.
Lastly but not the least, particularly the fans of the Uganda Cranes and generally all football fans who have paid to support the National Teams and Clubs football. You guys have been immense in the thick and thin.
Achievements:
There has been a series of achievement in the year 2016 but this is the start of reaping what we have been sowing since August 2013.
Administration & Planning:
We recruited 3 more staff in 2016 thus;
Deputy FUFA CEO; basically to support the widening functions of the CEO
FUFA Youth Officer; To Majorly handle the FUFA Youth Project that has the element of U17 FUFA Juniors League for the Azam Uganda Premier League Clubs
FUFA Media Content Officer; To capture and produce digital media content in form of Audio, Pictorial and Video material of FUFA Events and Programmes
This brings the FUFA Fulltime Contracted Staff to 28. We have been able to update the arrears of PAYE and NSSF over the years for the staff.
We organised the successfully the 92nd FUFA General Assembly in Luwero to a distinction. The FUFA Executive Committee Meetings have been held as required by the statutes and many other strategic meetings and events have equally been successfully organised.
The Uganda Cranes Bus that was involved in an Accident at the end of 2015 was repaired and brought back to service. There has been a 3-phase Power Generator installed at Njeru Technical Centre.
We have refurbished FUFA House and created more office space.
We have now comprehensively insured FUFA House, FUFA Technical Centre and the Uganda Cranes Bus.
We have now updated our ground rates that were in arrears over many years for FUFA House and Njeru Technical Centre.
In finance and Banking, we have increased our budget to now 14 Billion UGX for the 2017 Financial Year and have signed EcoBank as the official Bankers who are now offering lots of banking services to avoid short term and high interest risk credit facilities.
Governance
As we speak, FUFA has submitted whatever is required to NCS for recognition as the Association mandated to regulate and manage the sport of football. We hope this concludes this matter until the New Law is Formulated.
We have also been able to defend FUFA and its officials from various legal attacks and all forms of litigation. I must congratulate our lawyers on this sustained defense campaign
A number of regulations have been enacted and statutes modified. We now have a minimum of 4 women in the FUFA Assembly for the first time.
We created the Match Organisation Committee to deal with match results manipulation and violence at matches. FUFA appointed Muzafaru Zirabamuzale who has been trained by FIFA and has now been appointed by FIFA conduct the training in the region with the latest being in Djibouti.
We have formulated the FUFA Judicial bodies in the FUFA Disciplinary, Ethics and Integrity Committees with both Adjudication and Investigatory Chambers. A number of cases have been competently handled and concluded by these bodies.
FUFA presented its audited books of accounts for the year ending 31st December 2015 to the internal stakeholders on 22nd October 2016 in Luwero and got the final approval. These books of accounts have been shared with Government (NCS) and FIFA that has issued the greenlight that qualifies FUFA for the funding of 2017 cycle.
Competitions
FUFA now categorizes football Competitions as Elite (Professional) and Mass (Amateur).
Professional Competitions comprise of the 1st (AUPL) and 2nd Division (FBL) Leagues for Men and the FUFA Women Elite League for Women.
KCCA-FCs-Joseph-Ochaya scores his side’s opening goal in the 20th-minute-in-their-season-opening-encounter against JMC-Hippos-at-Lugogo
As FUFA we have been very strong in Club Licensing where clubs are assessed if they qualify to play in the top league in the areas of Sporting, Administrative, Financial, Infrastructure and Legal Setup.
It stretches clubs but eventually it is re-engineering our clubs.
The good working relationship between FUFA, the Uganda Premier League Board and the Clubs has completely eliminated the previous battles here. I applaud the club chairmen who have ensured that this tranquility continues.
Professionalization is taking root at club level as evidenced by the rate of club sponsors coming on board.
Vipers SC (Hima Cement), Bright Stars (Lato Milk), Express FC (DStv), SC Villa (Star Times), KCCA (Star Times & Others) and Onduparaka (Betway) make 5 out 16 Clubs now with Club Sponsors.
The launch of Betway by Onduparaka Football Club
In terms of the Quality of football, there has been a huge turnaround too. Now clubs play more organised football. This can be attributed to the training of coaches. I found 28 CAF C coaches suited for schools football but were coaching the 1st Division League Clubs in 2013. Now we have over 500 Coaches in CAF A, CAF B, CAF C and FUFA level-1 and the minimum for 1st Division League is CAF B by rule. The quality of football and level of competition has increased tremendously and if maintained we are destined to get more locally based players in the Men’s (A) National Team.
I must mention my excitement of Onduparaka. It has proven many theories wrong. Many people were saying upcountry clubs cannot exist in the league for economic reasons.
Mbale, Masaka, Iganga, Lira and Mbarara have the potential to do what Arua has done with Onduparaka.
Many things have been done right at that Club. I congratulate the people of West Nile for this achievement and contribution to the game of football. The League would not be the same without Onduparaka. KCCA FC, Vipers SC, SC Villa, Express FC, and many other Clubs are really trying and pointing in the right direction. How I wish we had done this in the late 90s
Mass Competitions comprises of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Division Leagues for Men and the Women Regional League for Women. It also includes all other competitions authorized by FUFA. We have continued with the growth in the masses involved and in 2016, 54,400 Players (Both Men and Women) were registered to play FUFA Competitions.
The Uganda Cup was played to conclusion with Vipers SC emerging champions in the first biggest turn up at a cup in final in the last 10 years.
We have also introduced the FUFA Women Cup to allow non-League women clubs to participate.
With the increased demand for more time for football matches, we have largely stabilized in the management of events by producing a calendar that guides the activities and fixtures of football.
This has allowed proper allocation of time to accommodate all programmes, events and matches without clashing. There is still room for improvement though.
Membership
FUFA Women Elite League was admitted to bring the number of members of FUFA to 33. FUFA has continued to give financial support to its members. In 2016 Alone FUFA has extended Financial Support to its members to a tune of 150m UGX.
At the 92nd FUFA General Assembly, we have approved the Regional Football Association Strategy where the following interventions will be made to the 8 Regions;
Financial Assistance of 240m UGX in 2017
The Balls Distribution Programme
The Education Plan
Supervision & Mentorship
Offices with Facilities
Infrastructure
The Financial Assistance has not been coming as scheduled for matters of cash flow and priorities but with the new strategy, even payment dates have been set to enable proper planning for the RFAs.
Marketing & Communications
When we opted to undertake rebranding by changing the logos and jerseys, there was a lot of negativity but my leadership as always was walking many steps ahead. We also opted to spend more on visibility and now we are reaping what we sowed.
Marketing
There has been increased revenue from sponsorship by bringing on board long and short term partners. Ecobank are now the official FUFA Banking Partners bringing in UGX 450M.
Ecobank during the launch of the Tulumbe Gabon Nal0 Nakajja Promotional campaign at Serena Hotel
In January 2015, we came here and promised to revamp the FUFA Awards. We organised and also partly financed the 2016 FUFA Awards.
Whereas the discussion has been who should have won and what is the fair system to be used to determine the winner, as FUFA we are proud that this event has been full revamped and talk is not about the food served and if the winners got their presents. Seeing Sandra Nabweteme (2015- FUFA Female Player of the Year) and now Hasifah Nassuuna (2016- FUFA Female Player of the Year) drive away has been emotional moments for me about these awards. We will improve in the areas lacking.
Communications
We have continued to professionally communicate about FUFA and its activities using our official tools and platforms.
FUFA weekly press conferences have been maintained
Verification of the FUFA Official Facebook Page and Twitter handles has enabled our platforms to be quoted by World Media agencies.
The perception of Ugandan football has taken a positive direction in long a while. We have worked tirelessly to position football to the attention of the powers that are. It was unbelievable that Parliament of Uganda and the entire government spectrum could make football a point of discussion. Today the Uganda Cranes, the football flagship brand, is discussed across the top religious echelon, the cultural leadership spectrum and every ordinary citizen. Currently, Uganda is being discussed on the world media channels of Bein Sport, ESPN, Super Sport, Azam, Sky News, BBC, Aljazera, CNN, VOA, RFI etc.
The Corporate Portfolio in Uganda has taken on the Friday Uganda Cranes Jersey bug.
HE the President of the Republic of Uganda has acquired keen interest in the proceeding and welfare of the team that he calls the FUFA President, the Head Coach and the Team Captain directly to reaffirm his support.
Faruku Miya in action during the Togo game in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers (Preliminary round) at Nelson Mandela National Stadium, Namboole
I cannot forget when the Farouk Miya scored the goal that ended the 38 year absence from AFCON how the Minister of Education and Sports and also first lady Mrs. Museveni abandoned her protocol and security detail to celebrate on her first visit to the stadium.
Football currently is being perceived and positioned in its rightful place and this will result into the right and disserving prioritization and resource allocation.
We have also conducted CSR activities at Nakasongola and Missionaries for the Poor in Kisenyi.
Vipers CEO Peter Lwanga accompanied by FUFA Executive Committee member Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel present the Uganda Cup trophy to the Missionaries of the Poor representative in Kisenyi, MengoUganda Cranes players and FUFA officials pose with the President and the first lady during the national team luncheon at Entebbe State House
Infrastructure
We have not been able to undertake any infrastructure programme as FIFA was revising the way the funding will be administered. We have however within the available resources refurbished FUFA House. The Signage and Reception Areas have been improved to suit the new corporate image of FUFA.
Technical Development
At FUFA we believe in technical development of the game for a better future. We have undertaken a number of interventions in order to develop the game to better standards.
Youth Football
We have recruited a full time Youth Development Officer to undertake the FUFA Youth Project. We have undertaken Grassroots Football Programmes in the Regions and the FUFA Juniors League continues where FUFA is providing Equipment, paying for referees, transport for the away team and salary for the Coach.
We have also continued to partner with Airtel for the ARS Programme that is credited for having produced Faruku Miya and Martin Kizza.
Women Football
FUFA takes women football as an important development segment of the game in Uganda and has undertaken programmes to ensure its nation-wide development.
Kakukungulu Memorials’ Naome Nagadya (right in white) in action against Buikwe She Red Stars players in red.
When we took a bold step to withdraw from continental competitions, we were ridiculed but our objective which we have so far achieved was to extend the playing opportunity to more girls in Uganda than spending hundreds of millions on about 20 girls only. We opted to introduce girls’ club football.
The Women Elite League is running in the 3rd Edition and this gave us a background for the National Team that played 6 international matches in 2016. We successfully hosted CECAFA Women Championship in Njeru.
We now believe it is the right time to return to the continental football as we have proper structures that can generate a proper representative national team.
Women in Leadership Programme
FUFA has undertaken steps to provide for involvement of more women in the administration of the game of football. The recruitment policy at FUFA has been very sensitive to gender balance as we currently have a woman at Director Level and others at Manager and officer levels. With the proposed statutory amendments, the number for women in the FUFA General Assembly will now be guaranteed as a minimum of 4 out of 88 compared to a minimum of none in the previous statutes. The women representation is as follows;
1 for the FUFA Women Elite League;
1 for the Female Referees
2 for the Uganda Women Football Association
Support to Excelling Athletes
FUFA extended financial support for Air ticket and Visa for Nabweteme Sandra considering her excellent performance to join university education in the United States. We have received reports that she is performing very well developing her career in football and education. Definitely in future in addition to Lucky Otandeka (USA), Natasha Shirazi (based in Denmark) and Jean Seninde (QPR in England), Sandra will be invited to represent the national team.
Beach Soccer
UBSA started from individual enthusiasm but has now become a very organised member of FUFA. We have continued to have beach soccer as one of our integral development activities.
Beach Soccer action between Dalumba International and MUBS at Lido Beach in Entebbe
Referees; We now have 3 International Beach Soccer Referees who have been officiating CAF and FIFA games throughout Africa. We organise fitness tests for referees for Beach Soccer. Our own Bayige Ivan Kintu the FUFA Referee of the Year 2016 officiated the Finals of the 2016 Africa Cup of Nations Beach Soccer Championship
National Team; The National Beach Soccer national Team (The Sand Cranes) has continued to play international friendly matches.
The Uganda Sand Cranes players before departing for the international build up match against Tanzania
Education
When one needs results for a year plant Maize, when one needs results for a decade plant trees but when one needs results for a generation, educate people.
This is exactly what our approach has been in capacity building in the areas of Coaching, Refereeing, Sports Medicine and Administration.
We have introduced the coaching practicing license to ensure professionalism is exhibited
FUFA has also embarked on the training of trainers in the regions to ensure that we have enough teachers to sustain the football education agenda in Coaching, Refereeing, Sports Medicine and Administration.
Germany Coaching Programme; we have revived the collaboration with the Germany Federation where we had always been allocated 2 slots annually for training.
This year Mathias Lule attended the course. Upon application, Kasule Mujib had been appointed by FUFA to attend the course but later turned down the offer. We believe in the coming years many more coaches will benefit from this programme that is partially funded by FUFA
Refereeing
Refereeing is a key function in football development. As FUFA we have seriously undertaken Refereeing management, welfare and development. The AUPL in the last meeting in Mandela after the end of the first round, the clubs confessed that there is improvement of the referees performance.
Manual; we produced the Referees Manual that guides the operations of the refereeing sector. Hitherto, Refereeing operations were not guided by any written procedure.
Grading; we have introduced the system of all referees being sent from the RFA to FUFA. We now have a list of referees (FUFA Referee Badge) who handle national competitions and those that manage the RFA Competitions. FUFA Provides the National Referees with the basic refereeing equipment.
Openness; we have brought down soliciting, lobbying, God fathering, patronage, rumour mongering and many similar vices that were rife in refereeing by being open and fair to all. We have put in place a procedure for proposing referees for the international list to FIFA. It is about medical and physical fitness and then FRSC recommends to the FUFA Excom where the final list is approved. We always announce the names sent to FIFA openly and this has reduced tensions and underhand methods hitherto used.
Independence; the FRSC undertakes its decision and operations in the areas of appointment, assessment, training and monitoring without any interference from the FUFA Executive Committee or any other party.
Disciplinary Measures; Referees that do not deliberately nor inadvertently interpret and apply the FIFA Laws of the Game are always sanctioned. This improves the level of performance of referees. We have sanctioned Referees
Payment; the payment of referees for the other competitions is still a challenge in amount and schedule of payment. However, for the Azam Uganda Premier League, on top of clearing the outstanding dues of the previous seasons, we have increased from 20,000 UGX per referee to averagely 150,000 UGX.
FUFA Young Referees Programme; we have started a programme of training referees for the age younger than 18 years as the basis for the future. The trained referees are gaining experience by officiating the U17 FUFA Juniors League. We believe after 10 years these will be the best referees in Africa.
National Teams
There has been a tremendous improvement in the performance of the Uganda Cranes.
Currently only Uganda amongst the 25 nations in the East, Central and Southern Africa is still running for both AFCON 2017 finals and World Cup.
Uganda Cranes players sing the national anthem ahead of the 4th September 2016 match against Comoros at Namboole Stadium
To be more precise, Uganda is currently rubbing soldiers with Africa’s other best 12 footballing nations thus Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Mali, Cameroon and DRC. Only Uganda amongst these has neither hosted AFCON nor been to the World Cup.
Whereas the Uganda Cranes had made Namboole Fortress, qualification to AFCON still eluded us because our perennial poor away results irrespective of the opposition. This has since changed as we have been able to win crucial away matches in Comoros and Botswana.
Incidentally this has not come accidentally and by luck like some schools of thought but has been achieved through immaculate planning, hard work and execution by FUFA, the Coaches and the Players.
Logistics; The FUFA management & Staff have tremendously improved on the logistics support. Co-ordination of invitations and travel of all the players required by the coach from all over the world, Equipment, Training Camps, international friendlies, motivation & welfare, accommodation and travel plans may go unnoticed without any major incident in the last three years.
Technically; Our Coaching Staff have been tremendous. From identification, distance coaching, analysis of ourselves and opposition, training, following, statistics, video clips, man management, trial matches, technical decision making, counselling, motivation, game reading and tactics. I applaud the Head Coach Micho, Moses Basena and Fred Kajoba. The Medical Staff have been extra ordinary. We have not heard cases of missing players due to sickness or injury. Doctors Kisolo Ronald and Physiotherapist Sewanyana Ivan have been responsible for the availability of the players for selection free from medical impairment
Players; There has been a growth amongst our player ranks. The senior players in Dennis Onyango, Geoffrey Massa and Tonny Mawejje have provided the experience and performances. The young players have grown in stature. We now have players in Portugal, Denmark, Belgium, Finland, Russia, United States and S. Africa while the ones trading in the region thus Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda have gained the necessary experience.
The FUFA President, the Executive Committee and the staff have co-ordinated the machinery of mobilising the necessary resources, providing and supervising, creating a family of players, coaches, staff and FUFA Executive Committee.
Once again it is thorough planning, hard work, commitment and execution that has given divine intervention and luck a platform to deliver Uganda to the table of Men in African Football.
Challenges
The main Challenge has been our mindsets. Football has been amateur football since 1897 to professional football. The entire football family, the fans/public, the corporate world and the government has still not yet conceptualized the goldmine of a professional football industry considering the natural endowment that God has bestowed upon us as a nation.
This leads to peripheral resource allocation to football by us all. By resource allocation I mean, the time, the HR and the finances. Sports will always be the last page, low quality, quantity and volunteer HR and for example 0.06% of the national budget was allocated to all sports inclusive of salaries of government staff in 2014/5 National Budget.
Without enough resources, we will definitely have no one minding the old Sports Law and lack of Policies that could enforce development of sports, decaying and insufficient sports infrastructure, and struggling national teams representing Uganda.
Also to note is that football does not exist in isolation. The challenges of society affect football too. The socio-economic challenges of corruption, drugs, economy, infrastructure, security, heath, etc will always affect the end product of football.
Everything else as a challenge is purely operational and is simply a symptom of the above.
2017 & the Future
We are looking forward to an event better year in 2017. What we sow now is what we shall reap in the future. There is definitely need to highlight the priority areas;
Strategic Plan; Implement the 2017-22 FUFA Strategic Plan to the detail
Consolidation; Ensure what we have achieved we do not lose it thus consolidating our achievements
Project Cameroon 2019 & WC 2018; We will continue to pursue the dream of playing at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and also start our dream project and campaign dubbed Project Cameroon 2019 which starts in March 2017
Infrastructure; On top of improving the current infrastructure, we intend to undertake civil projects at Kadiba, Lugazi and in each of the other Regional FA Jurisdiction in 2017 and the Future
New Sports Law; We shall continue to push, contribute and advocate for new sports law
Stakeholders Confidence; There has been a lot of beating of the FUFA Brand which has been caused by facilitated media exploiting the lack of information by the public and the entire external football stakeholders. 2017 & future, FUFA will be more aggressive in information sharing, educating and engaging the stakeholders in order to gain more stakeholders confidence
RFA Strategy; The ambitious RFA Strategy will be implemented and monitored to ensure the funds and equipment released get to the intended users
Clubs Pro Agenda; We also intend to engage the Professional competitions Clubs in order to re-engineer their respective approaches
Elections; I have proudly led the process to rebuild the Institution of FUFA. I believe we now have the means to organise a free and fair election as an institution. The elections start from the grassroots to the Presidency comprising of over 1000 elective positions and we have to look at the game not the individuals. The game shall be led by those who are currently making a contribution as internal stakeholders not passersby. Anyone interested in football leadership should get a GPS in football. It is that simple.
Conclusion
If it were an aircraft, we have delivered Uganda to the runway ready to take off. The commercial viability of FUFA today as obtained from the Sporting Results, marketing approach, governance structures, strategic planning and Togetherness can now generate the resources required to undertake long term development that will sustain Ugandan football at the highest.
We however need the tested crew to manage the takeoff and cruising of the Ugandan Football Aircraft
After joining the rest of the players who started camp a week earlier, South African based Ugandan solid midfielder Khlaid Aucho states that many might undermine Uganda as an underdog in group D but their exhibition will prove them wrong.
“Uganda has ever played against all those teams in the group but we are not scared of them” Vowed Aucho.
Group D has Uganda, Ghana, Mali and Egypt. The Uganda Cranes kick start their campaign against Ghana Black Stars on 19th January 2017 in Port Gentil.
The former Simba FC midfielder, now featuring at Baroka Football Club alongside team captain Geofrey Massa said that the teams focus is to get out of the group stages and then switch the focus to getting farther in the tournament.
He added that Uganda has to prove to the world that they qualified on merit therefore the boys are working hard to get to AFCON when prepared to compete rather than participating.
Speaking about the competition for the final squad of 23 Khalid outlined that it is normal because it is every players dream to feature at AFCON.
“I like the competition in camp. Every player is giving his best to please the coach to be named on the final 23 man squad for the finals in Gabon” noted Aucho.
Aucho featured for the Cranes in all the six AFCON 2017 qualifier matches and scored one of the goals when Uganda beat Botswana 2-1 in Francistown to secure vital away points which geared the qualifiers to Gabon.
Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) President, Eng. Moses Magogo will address the media during a press conference on Wednesday, 28th December 2016 at FUFA House in Kampala.
This will be the last press conference of the year for the federation during the golden year of Uganda’s football where the Uganda Cranes qualified for the Total Africa Cup of Nations, after almost 39 years of hard work.
FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo
FUFA Communications Manager, Ahmed Hussein confirmed the press conference;
“2016 has indeed been a special year for Uganda’s football. The FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo will crown it all with the end of year address at FUFA House on Wednesday, 28th December 2016. The press conference will kick off at 10 a.m and will be live on the football radio 102.1 FUFA f.m” Ahmed asserts.
