Euphoria as UEFA president Ceferin sets foot in Uganda

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 uncharacteristically witnessed the rains from the skies in central Uganda and most parts of the country fall from dawn till noon and beyond.

Tag it as good omen, it was on the same day that the president of Union of European of Football Association (UEFA) Aleksander Ceferin set foot for the very first time in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.

Aboard a private plane, Ceferin and entourage planed at the lake side Entebbe International Airport minutes after 8 PM.

He was clad in a white polo shirt, navy blue sweater and trousers with white all-star blazers.

Ritah Aliguma, the founder of the Aliguma Foundation accompanied by the elite cluster of Uganda’s high profile sports administrators led by the state minister of sports Hon. Peter Ogwang, National Council of Sports (NCS) chairman Ambrose Tashobya and the NCS general secretary Bernard Patrick Ogwel welcomed the 55-year-old Slovenian lawyer and sports administrator.

Ceferin smiled ear-to-ear as he was being led to the VIP reception lounge.

“It is a special occasion for me. I feel welcome already and looking forward to witnessing the projects that we have supported in Uganda. I also look forward to watching some of the youngsters in these underprivileged areas show case their skills and talent, and hopefully, I will get a chance to play alongside them” Ceferin noted in the maiden interview in Uganda.

The guests were driven to the lavish Kampala Serena Hotel for the night’s rest ahead of a grueling second day where he will visit the famous Acholi Quarters in Banda – Kampala and later meet the first lady and minister of education & sports Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni.

The minister Ogwang openly expressed gratitude upon receiving such a high profile guest.

“It is my singular honour to receive and welcome the president of UEFA Mr. Aleksander Ceferin to Uganda. It is a noble privilege to have you here for the first time. I am optimistic that your visit will breathe new life and hope for our under-privileged young talent” Hon. Ogwang noted.

The entourage has the secretary general Urs Kluser, Kevin Lamour (member of the board) and Srsen Matej, a consultant.

The primary objective of the visit is to visit the Aliguma Foundation and check the progress of the Acholi Quarters project and different works in promoting better livelihoods in the slum communities through sports especially football.

For starters, the Aliguma Foundation were first time recipients of the UEFA Foundation For Children grant as part of the 65 humanitarian projects around the world worth €4.9 MILLION (an estimated UGX19.1 BILLION) pre the coronavirus pandemic times through its Sports For Resilience & Empowerment Project (SREP).

The Foundation stepped up its works by redeveloping the multi-purpose Acholi Quarters Playground, improving the structures and status of the Annual Banda Slums Soccer Tournament, buying a 15-acre piece of land in Kinuuma Village, Masindi District and starting construction works at Aliguma Foundation Sports & Empowerment Center (AFSEC) as well as the initiation of other new fundamental projects like the “Ndi Mwana – The Cry of A Girl Child – the powers that be at the governing body of football in Europe were equally excited with the progress and are determined to ensure that the Uganda-based foundation continues to change lives of the less-privileged.

Second grant:

The Aliguma Foundation was part of the 12 Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) in Africa selected for the 2022 call alongside another 12 in Asia, seven in Central and South America, and two in Oceania.

Itinerary & activities:

March 14, 2023 at 5pm:

● Arrival of UEFA President and entourage at Entebbe International Airport via VIP Lounge.

Then transfer to Serena Hotel Kampala for the night.

March 15, 2023 – Starting 9 am:

• Serena Hotel Transfer To Acholi Quarters
• Charity March in Kireka Banda B1 Zone – Slum Communities
• Then Acholi Quarters For Exhibitions & Sports Gala
• Meet with the First Lady of the Republic of Uganda at the State House
• Drive back to Entebbe International Airport for departure.