Uganda Cranes players are set for significantly improved travel, accommodation and financial conditions after government committed additional funding towards the national team ahead of AFCON 2027.
FUFA president Moses Magogo announced on Monday that government will fund the Cranes budget, with the new arrangements covering business-class travel, five-star accommodation, chartered flights, improved allowances and qualification bonuses.
The changes come as Uganda prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Kenya and Tanzania next June.
Magogo said the improved package is intended to raise the environment around the national team as Uganda approaches its first home AFCON.
“This is to improve on the standards of the national team,” Magogo said while outlining the new arrangements.
One of the biggest changes concerns players travelling from their overseas clubs to join the Cranes.
Under the arrangement, foreign-based players whose journeys exceed four hours will travel in business class when reporting for national duty.
The Cranes will also receive a new team bus, while chartered flights will be considered for back-to-back fixtures where their schedule requires them.
Government support will additionally provide five-star hotel accommodation for the national team during camps in Uganda and abroad whenever possible.
Player bonuses and allowances have also been improved, including a substantial payment relating to Uganda’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Players involved in that qualification campaign will receive a qualification bonus worth up to $10,000 each, following discussions between FUFA and government.
The financial commitment forms part of a broader government investment as Uganda prepares to stage the continental tournament.
Magogo said as much as Shs32bn in additional funding has been committed towards the various football initiatives being undertaken around the AFCON preparations.
Government has already extended direct financial support to Uganda Premier League clubs, while significant investment is being channelled into stadiums and training facilities.
Uganda is expected to emerge from the preparations with three international stadiums at Namboole, Hoima and Akii-Bua, according to FUFA.
Training facilities are also being developed within the Namboole, Hoima and northern clusters, while FUFA is discussing additional projects in Mbarara, Fort Portal, Jinja, Mbale and West Nile.
“The objective is to ensure that we have a Uganda Premier League standard facility in each of the 18 provinces,” Magogo said.
Cranes begin AFCON 2027 journey
The improved welfare package comes as the Cranes begin their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign despite already being guaranteed a tournament place as co-hosts.
Uganda are currently in Tunisia ahead of their opening qualifier against Tunisia before returning home to face Libya at Hoima City Stadium on September 29.
The Libya encounter, scheduled for 7pm, will take the Cranes to Hoima for the first time as the new stadium continues its build-up towards AFCON 2027.
“I want to call upon all Ugandans to be part of history, the game will be played at 7pm on the 29th of September in Hoima,” Magogo said.
Search for foreign-based Ugandans intensifies
FUFA is simultaneously stepping up efforts to recruit eligible players born or raised outside Uganda as it attempts to strengthen the Cranes before 2027.
Magogo revealed that FUFA officials, government representatives and members of the Cranes technical team have travelled abroad to engage potential players, their families and agents.
“Work has been done and we’ve been doing this work for over a year,” Magogo said.
“Work has been done and sooner than later we’ll start seeing some of these players.”
He urged supporters to give the prospective newcomers time to settle, particularly those who have spent most or all their lives outside Uganda.
“Let us welcome them. Some of them have never been to Uganda. Some have been coming to Uganda without necessarily being part of football,” he said.
The increased government investment is expected to extend beyond preparing the Cranes for one tournament.
Magogo believes the infrastructure, commercial opportunities and greater investment surrounding the tournament could reshape Ugandan football beyond July 2027.
“AFCON is not going to leave Ugandan football the same,” Magogo said.
“So it’s our time. Let us harness as the game. Let us harness as business people of this country from this opportunity.”
With AFCON 2027 approaching and significant public investment going into the team, FUFA hopes the improved welfare and preparation will give Uganda the platform required to compete strongly on home soil.