KAMPALA
As Eng. Moses Magogo begins his fourth term as FUFA president – re-elected unopposed during the 101st General Assembly in Hoima – attention turns not just to the future, but to the weight of the legacy he carries into this next chapter. Since assuming office in 2013, Magogo’s presidency has been a defining era for Ugandan football: one marked by impressive strides, lingering controversies, and increasingly vocal demands for accountability.
Over the past decade, Magogo has brought in reforms that have reshaped the sport’s landscape in Uganda. He has overseen the historic return of the Cranes to AFCON, spearheaded multimillion-shilling sponsorship deals, introduced federation-run media platforms, and initiated large-scale stadium construction projects. These achievements—many unprecedented in FUFA’s history—paint a picture of visionary ambition. Yet, that portrait is far from complete without acknowledging the cracks beneath the surface: corruption scandals, collapsing clubs, stagnant grassroots football, and underfunded women’s programs have repeatedly cast a shadow over his leadership.
Central to Magogo’s modernization agenda was the professionalization of football media and communication. Under his leadership, FUFA launched FUFA FM in 2015 and FUFA TV in 2022, making Uganda the first East African country whose football federation runs both radio and TV platforms. These media channels now offer live coverage of the domestic league, national team fixtures, women’s matches, and educational content. In doing so, they’ve not only boosted player visibility and fan engagement but have also reduced reliance on foreign narratives to shape Ugandan football’s story.
This modernization extended to broadcasting partnerships that transformed how the domestic game is consumed. The landmark Azam TV deal from 2015 to 2018—worth over US$1 million—rebranded the top flight as the Azam Uganda Premier League. It brought high-quality matchday production and enforced club licensing standards. Though Azam eventually exited due to shifting priorities, the groundwork paved the way for the StarTimes partnership. The Chinese pay-TV provider signed a 10-year deal worth over Shs 10 billion (approximately $2.6 million), rebranding the league as the StarTimes Uganda Premier League and ushering in a new era of live broadcasts, highlights, and digital streaming. Critically, the deal also included financial support to clubs and technical guidance in production and branding—key ingredients in pushing Ugandan football toward commercial viability.
Perhaps the most celebrated achievement of Magogo’s early tenure came in 2017, when Uganda qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a 39-year absence. The milestone was widely attributed to reforms within FUFA and the leadership of Serbian coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojević. Two years later, the Cranes not only returned to AFCON in Egypt but progressed to the Round of 16—defeating DR Congo and drawing with Zimbabwe. Although they fell narrowly to Senegal, the campaign showcased the team’s evolution and propelled players like Emmanuel Okwi, Allan Kyambadde, and Patrick Kaddu onto international radars.
Under Magogo, FUFA has also institutionalized the celebration of football excellence. The FUFA Awards, launched in 2015, have become a calendar highlight, honoring standout players in men’s and women’s football. Winners like Farouk Miya, Sandra Nabweteme, Moses Waiswa, and Juliet Nalukenge have had their achievements spotlighted nationally, while major sponsors, including MTN Uganda (Shs 19 billion in FUFA activities), Airtel Uganda (Shs 100 million in 2019 FUFA awards edition), and others have poured in funding that strengthens both recognition and development efforts. Despite pandemic disruptions that halted the awards in 2020, 2022, and 2023, the 2024 ceremony made a compelling return, honoring Kitara FC’s Denis Omedi and Kampala Queens’ Zainab Nandede for their respective exploits.
Magogo has also placed Uganda on the continental stage as a co-host for AFCON 2027, alongside Kenya and Tanzania. As part of the tournament’s infrastructure legacy, Uganda is constructing the 20,000-seat Hoima Stadium through Turkish firm SUMMA for Shs 150 billion. Akii Bua Stadium in Lira, funded at Shs 470 billion, is being built by Egypt’s SAMCO Construction, while Mandela National Stadium has been reconstructed to host the 2025 CHAN tournament. Other venues like Wankulukuku’s Muteesa II Stadium, FUFA’s Kadiba ground, and the newly completed Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo are also being refurbished as training centers.
Internationally, Uganda has edged closer to global relevance under Magogo. The U20 national team reached the Africa U20 Cup of Nations final in 2021, qualifying for the FIFA U20 World Cup before the event was canceled due to COVID-19. The breakthrough finally arrived in 2025 when Uganda secured qualification for the U17 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, defeating Gambia 2–1 under coach Brian Ssenyondo, marking the first time any Ugandan national team has reached a FIFA World Cup tournament.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite his successes, Magogo’s administration has been mired in ethical concerns and governance issues that continue to polarize public opinion.
The first major scandal came in 2014, when Magogo was sanctioned by FIFA for illegally selling World Cup tickets. Found guilty, he was fined CHF 10,000 and suspended for two months, a significant blow that forced him to step down temporarily. Further investigations by the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) into alleged misuse of FUFA assets have raised broader concerns over transparency, especially relating to land titles and financial management.
In 2024, the controversy escalated internationally. The U.S. government imposed sanctions on Magogo under section 212 (a)(3)(C) of its Immigration and Nationality Act, citing corruption allegations linked to his wife, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among. The ban not only tarnished Magogo’s reputation but also threatened FUFA’s global relationships, complicating efforts to engage in international football diplomacy and tournaments.
Domestically, the neglect of women’s football remains a glaring issue. While top-tier sides like Kawempe Muslim Ladies and She Corporate FC have found relative success, the grassroots ecosystem remains underfunded, under-coached, and poorly organized. FUFA’s policy requiring all Uganda Premier League clubs to establish women’s teams has seen limited compliance, with many clubs treating it as a box-ticking exercise. The Crested Cranes—Uganda’s senior women’s national team—have even withdrawn from tournaments like the 2023 COSAFA Women’s Championship due to logistical and financial constraints, sparking backlash from fans and gender equality advocates.
Even the men’s game has suffered institutional fractures. Clubs such as SC Victoria University and Simba FC, once domestic powerhouses, collapsed due to financial mismanagement. Proline FC, known for grooming top-tier talent, also faced relegation and near-collapse despite its development pipeline. These cases expose systemic weaknesses in club financing, sponsorships, and infrastructure—underscoring the lack of long-term financial strategy under FUFA’s leadership.
As Magogo embarks on a new term, his resume is a study in contrasts: trailblazing achievements alongside avoidable failures. The next four years present an opportunity to pivot. Rebuilding trust, ensuring financial transparency, prioritizing grassroots and women’s football, and confronting governance issues head-on will define whether his presidency enters the pantheon of football statesmanship—or fades into a cautionary tale of what might have been.