The Ugandan government has given US $540716 to help the Cranes at the tournament which kicks off in Gabon on 14 January though it is considerably less than the Federation of Uganda Football Association had requested according to BBC.

Uganda’s State Minister for Sport, Charles Bakkabulindi, admitted the sum is much less than the US $2 million FUFA had wanted, but said the government also had to factor in other commitments.

“We are happy that although the money has taken a while to come out, it has finally come and it will handle several aspects including allowances for the team in Gabon,” the Minister told BBC Sport.

He added that the government is also working hard to find money to fund part of the 2017 World Cross Country Championship which will take place in Kampala in March as per the report.

Bakkabulindi reasoned that since the Confederation of African Football (Caf) has sent over US$200,000 for each of the 16 teams to help them participate at the Nations Cup, the Uganda Cranes already have some financial support.

In December, 2017, the Ugandan FA (FUFA) were embroiled into financial crisis with the FA’s head of Finance, Decolas Kiiza, saying they needed quick government intervention.

FUFA had to borrow funds to send the team to their training camp in Tunisia and now in the United Arab Emirates where they are carrying out preparations ahead of  the Afcon.

Uganda who made history by ending a 38-year wait to qualify for Afcon are in Group D alongside Egypt, Ghana and Mali. They will play their first match on the 17th against Ghana before going head to head with Egypt on 21st, January 2017.

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He says a policy to streamline government sponsorship of talented sports students to public universities and tertiary institutions will soon be undertaken and the National Council of Sports Act (1964) will soon be reviewed amended to encourage people get involved in sports activities.

Uganda soccer team to get bus

Uganda continues to perform poorly on the global stage because it continues to miss out on major international soccer events like the World Cup and the African cup of nations. Uganda has also not been performing well at the International Olympic games.

Other government plans include the development of the Nakivubo war memorial stadium, selection and development of physical education and sports centre of excellence and the development of the Akii-Bua stadium in Lira district.

In a press statement seen by Ultimate Media, Bakkabulindi adds that government will procure a bus for the Uganda National soccer team, construct a national high altitude training centre for athletes in the Eastern Uganda district of Kapchorwa and establish ten sports schools to act as centers of excellence.

The minister however, indicated that despite government efforts to develop the sector, a number of challenges like low budget allocation, neglect of community sports, high taxes imposed on sports equipments, lack of sports facilities and low priotisation of physical education and sports remain major hindrances.

Ultimate Media

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