FUFA-UPL clubs hold successful deliberations, Licensing exercise starts on 22nd June and monthly meetings agreed on – FUFA: Federation of Uganda Football Associations

Posted on June 10, 2020 - 7:14 pm by Ahmed Marsha

FUFA holds successful meeting with UPL clubs
9 out of 14 clubs attended the consultative meeting at FUFA Complex inMengo
Licensing exercise starts on 22nd June 2020
Monthly breakfast meetings between FUFA and UPL Clubs agreed on

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has held a successful consultative meeting with first division clubs(Uganda Premeir Legaue Clubs) and the UPL Board at the FUFA Executive House in Mengo, Kampala on Wednesday, 10 June 2020. Nine (9) of the forteen (14) clubs in the top flight attended the meeting.

FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo chaired the two and a half hour meeting whose main agenda among others was to brainstorm on ideas on how best to run club football in the country in preparation for the 2020/2021 football season. The key issues from the consultative meeting ranged from Club licensing activity calendar, StarTimes UPL League kick off date, 2nd phase of FUFA Club Pro Agenda, FUFA Club licensing regulations, FUFA and UPL to hold monthly breakfast meetings to improve communication between the two entities. Discussion on FUFA Competitions reforms was deferred to 18th June 2020

Here are key Club Licensing activities and dates set

Consultative meetings with UPL Clubs 18th June 2020
Release of Club Licensing Regulations 22nd June 2020
Expression of interest to participate in the 2020/21 UPL season 23rd-26th June 2020
Phase II of the FUFA Clubs Pro Agenda for UPL Clubs 1st-10th July 2020
Submission of License application by clubs and all supporting documentation 13th-24th July 2020
First Review and decisions by First Instance Body (FIB) regarding all clubs’ license applications 27th-29th July 2020
First Inspection of Clubs’ Facilities (Office premises, Stadiums and training grounds 6th-13th August 2020
Closure of submission and uploading of Players’ documents on FIFA Connect System& Domestic Transfer Matching system (DTMS) 14th August 2020
Second review and decision by First Instance Body(FIB) regarding all clubs’ license applications Criteria Bv& report on current status 17th August 2020
Second inspection of Clubs’ Facilities (Office premises, Stadiums and training grounds 4th September 2020
Final decisions by the Appeals Body regarding any appeals submitted by clubs 7th-11th September 2020
Release of final list of Clubs to UPL Secretariat 14th September 2020
Release of final fixtures of UPL by UPL Secretariat 17th September 2020
UPL League kick off 17th October.

FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo

To our understanding as FUFA, we delegated the responsibility to run the league to the UPL Board or FUFA Super Legaue Limited (FSLL). The delegated authority of the company called FSLL has shareholders – the clubs. We are all aware how companies operate as Board of Directors as appointed by the clubs and have the mandate to represent them. FUFA has continuously engaged the UPL Board for matters that probably concern the clubs. I have also been informed on a number of occasions that there are meetings that have been going on between the Board and the clubs. So, our interpretation as FUFA is that there has been consultation on a number of occasions. In areas where we have not performed, we shall improve amicably. I’m the head of the institution and I take full responsibility; we need to improve upon the communication between FUFA and the UPL Clubs. It is an area we have taken as positive criticism’

FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo

‘There is lack of proper communication between FUFA and UPL. We also need to listen to each other more. The inclusion of all stakeholders especially clubs is key in the game. We must have the data and analysis of previous licensing exercise so that it helps in the future. We also need to get the correct trend of compliance to see whether the shortfalls are in the areas of knowledge, skills or finance.
If the shortfall are in finance, then the FA and clubs work to see how to support clubs.

It is important to include the clubs in planning and lobbying for funding from Government and FIFA because the industry is just developing’ KCCA FC Vice Chairman Aggrey Ashaba

KCCA FC Vice Chairman Aggrey Ashaba

At club level, FUFA needs to maintain the good flow of information to the clubs. The other concern is about the prize money and the Stanbic Uganda Cup competition which was disrupted by the Coronavirus pandemic – URA FC Member Moses Kaduyu.

***URA FC General Secretary Moses*** **Kaduyu**

We are grateful for the good planning and programmes highlighted in the FUFA President’s address. There are concerns that we need to address to the federation through UPL. The cost of maintaining a club in Uganda is very high. We have been struggling as clubs to make ends meet. For salaries alone, a club needs more than Shs 10M per month. There is something big that clubs need to be addressed especially through this COVID-19 crisis – George William Mulindwa, Chairman Vipers SC

**George William Mulindwa, Chairman Vipers SC**

We held a meeting last year in Bukoto. We highlighted the need for stakeholders’ forum. It was intended to compare and contrast. We also put in place various forums to compare notes and hear from each other. Issues of licensing, change of names, financial assistance have been echoed out- FUFA 3rd Vice President Hon Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi

FUFA 3rd Vice President Hon. Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi addressed the meeting via digital technology (zoom). She also represented Express FC as authorised by the Club Chairman.

The participants listen to the FUFA Club Licensing Chairman Rogers Mulindwa during the consultative meeting

As the new FUFA club licensing chairman, I take my responsibility without fear or favour. Club licensing is the kitchen of football across the world. Governance, financial stability and standards are vey key. We need to move together with owners, leaders and technical staff to develop the game. The action plan is well laid out and ready to start – FUFA Club Licencing Chairman Rogers Mulindwa

***Rogers Mulindwa, FUFA Executive Committee Member &* *Club Licencing Chairman***

We had a successful meeting where 9 Clubs of the expected 14 attended. This meeting gave the FUFA President Eng. Magogo an opportunity to clarify on several pertinent issues in club football. There was a resolution that there will be monthly breakfast meetings between clubs and the federation to iron out issues. Clubs were notified that the promised funding from FIFA meant to assist them will soon be released. Decolas Kiiza-FUFA Deputy CEO in Charge of Football

Decolas Kiiza- FUFA Deputy CEO- Football

National Documents (Passports and National Identification Cards) are needed for players’ registration. We need proper documentation for a successful exercise and start to the new season. We will not entertain provisional documents’ – Hajati Aisha Nalule, FUFA Competitions Director

UPL Chairman Arinatiwe Rugyendo making his submission during the meeting

Enemies cannot build, only friends can do that work. Friends dialogue and do not fight. Prize money has increased, there is money for clubs on the continent and many things are coming. We are on a new revolution. The attitude has changed. We need to develop the game with positive ideas. The board is working on a plan to bring more sponsors, great rebranding, repackaging the game, more stakeholders’ meetings and other things catered for in the strategic pack. – Uganda Premier League Board Chairman Arinatiwe Rugyendo