Ugandan Football: The Game We Cheer, The System We Question?

We grew up hearing “nti ‘kyoyagala kikuseeza’” and indeed, as I have continued growing, “byendabye mbilabye”, but football remains a passion, a zeal that always pushes one to continue. Yes, I know investing in it is something worthy of praise, especially here in our motherland, the Pearl of Africa.

Oh yes, some call it “ekula lya Afrika”. Indeed, everything we do at times is full of wonders, but that is not the point.

First of all, as a Wakiso-born, I want to congratulate Wakiso Giants on a journey well deserved. On the other hand, I am kind of broken seeing a team I have such a connection with, fighting until nothing seems possible.

But before we go forward, what is really eating up Ugandan football? Because you see, even those at the top league “bakaaba”. When asked, many say “mbu” the problem is from the heads of football in Uganda. But let us assess that.

The Uganda U-17 team qualified for the World Cup, which is going to be played in Morocco, but honestly, a few of us only got to know late. How is that possible? “obuuza”?

Ok, let me answer you.

I was watching my TikTok and one pastor was also pointing at FUFA, asking them to always publish everything and not rely on their TV only, but also engage other media houses. That is one of the reasons, but lets keep diving.

Let us go to the bigger part, the investment issue.

To be clear, FUFA promised to give 100M to the team that comes first in the Premier League, increasing it from 60M. But we have not confirmed whether that has been received by the club that won it. Some days back, Vipers SC had their national general assembly where they laid out their budget for the next season, with figures that cannot even be close to the 60M, let alone the 100M.

“Naye” we all remember when Dr gave his club 300M for winning the Uganda Premier League “ekyo kikulaga ki”?. A person investing in something he really loves. Because some say “mbu akolela mu loss”. Not my words, but people say he injects too much money than the club gives him.

Before we go further, do you all remember the boycott saga where Vipers refused to play the new Uganda Premier League format, which was so complex like a puzzle? Well, SC Villa was also with Vipers, but after some time Villa “yapondooka” just like the other teams.

I think everyone has to thank Dr Lawrence Mulindwa of Vipers. The man stood firm hee… until FUFA “nayo bweyapondooka”, and after Vipers was given a loss of the match, they refused to play. And as the league ended they were saying that they didn’t get any loose on the pitch, that the one they got was from the board room.

Ok, enough about Uganda’s top tier league.

Let us go to the FUFA Big League, the league teams go to when they are relegated from the Premier League. Things down here “bizibuzibu”.

“mbuuza bitya”, but before we go further, congratulations to Blacks Power for winning the last season FUFA Big League. You guys really deserved it. But still, the points gathered show how low the competition in the league is, because 30 matches are played, the league has 16 teams, and you won it with 55 points with Ntugasaze coming second. But all in all, you progressed ahead.

The issue of the trophy design, I beg FUFA, start looking for better designs because at least you improved that of the Uganda Premier League. Also, please “nekino mukikoleko”. However, it is a new design they just introduced, but for sure it still needs a revamp.

Now, Wakiso Giants was the issue, right? Let us go back to that.

First of all, “Mukulu” Musa, “webale emirimu”. When I read your tweet, I felt like you were someone with great ambition of taking Ugandan football further, but “ebintu ssi byangu kablaza”. However, how about changing the mindset and coming back? We still want to watch Wakiso Giants play.

Also, mobilisation should be boosted so that we can also access club products “nga tetumazze kutindiga ngeendo”. But all in all, FUFA needs to sit with such people. Musa is indeed a pioneer of Ugandan football, so we need answers on why he has decided to quit.

This is a call to FUFA to make improvements in general. Yes, I know we will reach those levels, and yes, I still have faith.

For the FUFA presidency race, that will be another day.