)
In a communique sent to all clubs earlier this week that Pulse Sports has seen, FUFA informed all top-flight clubs on the move not to support clubs, which has been the case since 2019.
Ugandan clubs competing in continental assignments have to adjust their budget upwards following the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) move to withdraw funding.
In a communique sent to all clubs earlier this week that Pulse Sports has seen, FUFA informed all top-flight clubs on the move not to support clubs, which has been the case since 2019.
"Please note that FUFA WILL NOT contribute to the cost of your club's air travel or any form of travel as this venture stopped during the ended season," part of the statement read.
"The club henceforth shall meet its travel costs during the CAF/CECAFA engagement fully."
In a story shared by Pulse Sports on Friday, Ronnie Kalema, a FUFA executive member, revealed that the proposal to stop funding clubs on the continent was passed at the FUFA annual general assembly held in Gulu in October 2022.
)
12:26 - 09.06.2023
FOOTBALL Clubs agreed to the withdrawal of FUFA’s continental support
Interestingly, Ronnie Kalema, the FUFA Executive member revealed that the decision was made during the 98th FUFA Ordinary General Assembly held in Gulu in October 2022.
Background
In 2019, the FUFA executive approved funding for CAF club competitions representatives, the local football governing body, among other guidelines, revealed that;
"FUFA shall assume the expenses of travel by plane and allowances for the Leader of delegation with the participating teams getting plane tickets for 25 persons (18 players and seven officials)," it read.
)
14:03 - 07.06.2023
FOOTBALL FUFA cuts support for Ugandan clubs in continental competitions
According to documents seen by this website, the decision was among a catalogue of decisions taken at FUFA’s latest Executive Committee meeting.
"Participating clubs were required to hand in the lists of their travelling contingent to the FUFA CEO 14 days before departure."
KCCA FC and Proline were the first beneficiaries of the offer.
Was the proposal passed with clubs agreeing to it?
Pulse Sports has scoured through the available video footage from the 98th FUFA general assembly held on 22nd October but has yet to locate precisely when the said proposal was discussed and passed, as Kalema intimated.
Instead, in one of the shared videos on YouTube, FUFA president Moses Magogo is captured explaining a breakdown of the increase in prize monies for all clubs to the assembly.
Contradiction
Kalema had stated that the proposal had been passed at the 2022 FUFA AGM in Gulu in October; however, the letter received by all clubs indicates that the proposal was passed at the 25th FUFA EXCOM meeting, which was held on 13th October 2021 at Sky Beach Hotel Garuga.
)
13:23 - 10.06.2023
FOOTBALL KCCA FC up for CAF Confederation Cup challenge
Club CEO Anisha Muhoozi had earlier told Pulse Sports in an exclusive interview that they were still contemplating whether to take up the slot.
Even then, the key decisions passed in Garuga, which are also shared on the FUFA website, don't include the said proposal.
A proposed list of Ugandan referees for the 2022 badges, a new format for the FUFA Big League and the Women's competitions, along with the approval of the change of club names are the key decisions that were made and communicated on the FUFA website.
FUFA's Response
Pulse Sports reached out to Ahmed Hussein, the director of communications, on the matter, but his known phone numbers were unavailable and our whats app texts went answered by press time.
Clubs speak out
Pulse Sports reached out to a few officials from different clubs for a comment.
"FUFA is contradicting itself; what Kalema Ronnie alluded to wasn't the case, we were in Gulu, and nothing of the sort happened," one of the officials noted on grounds of anonymity.
"What's more confusing, the letter FUFA sent to all clubs says the proposal was passed during the 25th executive meeting held in 2021.”
"I also don't remember getting to know about it or getting communication, but even then, why would such a decision be communicated two years later?" the source questioned.
Another official was simply in shock and called upon FUFA to rethink the decision.
"It's sad that such a decision which we all don't know how and when it was passed, is being implemented," he noted.
"If FUFA is the custodian of football in Uganda and wants to see clubs grow, this is a no-brainer, absolutely uncalled for."
With KCCA FC having confirmed their readiness to represent Uganda in the CAF Confederation Cup and domestic double champions Vipers set to return to the CAF Champions League.
Both sides will have to dig deep in their pockets to go all the way in the interclub competitions.
After all is said and done, it begs the question, how and where did FUFA pass the proposal to cut continental support for Ugandan clubs representing the continent with clubs agreeing to it?
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)