Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has confirmed clearance of outstanding arrears in salary and bonuses of Shs230 million (US$ 64,000) owed to former Uganda Cranes head coach, Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredejovic.
A tweet by FUFA on Wednesday, 21st March 2018 confirmed the development;
The FUFA President confirms that the outstanding salary arrears owed to former Uganda Cranes coach Micho has fully been paid.
In quick response, Micho who is now head coach at PSL club Orlando Pirates in South Africa replied in a tweet expressing his due appreciation;
Honest appreciation and sincere gratitude to FUFA president Moses Magogo that has presented himself as man of his words upon in full fulfilling promise by clearing the outstanding salary arrears owed to me. Thank you very much. All the best in all your future endeavors and challenges
Micho terminated his contract with FUFA on Friday, 28th July 2017 at 8 PM after what he termed as disrespect of his values citing non-payment of his Shs230m salary and allowances.
The next day, (Saturday, 29th July 2017), he addressed a one-man farewell press conference held at Kabira Country Club in Kampala.
Clad in an all blue jeans attire with a brown pair of shoes and the trade mark brief case, Micho addressed the media personnel for close to two hours.
Back then, an extremely Micho noted;
It is 50 months today since I was signed to work for Uganda Cranes. I have unreserved love for Uganda. Unfortunately, the contract was terminated on Friday, 28th July 2017 at 8 PM after disrespect of my values.
I have not cheated, I have not stolen, but I have come here to clear the air. It is not easy to be coach of Uganda. My agent and I had seven days of talks with FUFA but all yielded nothing.
I have not been allowed to take Uganda to the World Cup. They succeeded to remove me. We have stretchered human and practical limits with FUFA. I have my values which needed to be respected. I had never even missed any training session with Uganda Cranes.
I will remember two dates September 4 2016 and January 17, 2018 as Special dates for Uganda Cranes and Uganda as a nation.
I thank all the captains I have worked with. Andy Mwesigwa, Geofrey Massa, Dennis Onyango, Tonny Mawejje and many others.
Uganda still has a VVIP apartment in my heart. You are still a DNA in my body.
Micho led Uganda Cranes to their first Nations Cup finals in 38 years. Cranes managed one draw in their first appearance since 1978.
After Micho left, FUFA then named Moses Basena as the interim coach along with Fred Kajoba to take the national team through the remaining CHAN 2018 qualifiers as well as the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
A new coach, Sebastien Desabre was announced on 28th December 2017. Mathias Lule is his immediate assistant coach with Fred Kajoba (currently in the US with New Red Bulls) as the goalkeeping coach.
Most recently Desabre brought on board a physician, D’antonio Gerome to further assist in the physical drills and fine tuning of the players’ bodies.
Desabre handled Uganda Cranes at the 2018 CHAN championship in Morocco and he will have the first two games before the home fans this month when FUFA hosts Sao Tome and Prinicipe as well as Malawi on 24th and 27th March 2018 respectively at the Mandela National Stadium.