Overview:
Hon. Peter Ogwang pleaded for a collaboration with UEFA to help the development of local coaches in Uganda with the vital education especially UEFA Pro License.
Government of Uganda intends to fully maximize upon the recent visit of Aleksander Ceferin, the president for Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).
Ceferin concluded his two-day visit to Uganda on the afternoon of Tuesday, 15th March 2023 following the invitation of Ritah Aliguma, the founder and CEO of the Aliguma Foundation.
State minister of sports Hon. Peter Ogwang optimally utilized the time he spent with Ceferin to bench-mark and strategize how best the Government of Uganda can work with UEFA.
Right from Entebbe International Airport upon arrival until his departure, Ceferin and Ogwang shared key moments.
Ogwang was humbled by Ceferin’s visit to the Pearl of Africa as he committed to play the Government’s role as the UEFA Foundation also further supports the projects.
He pleaded for a collaboration with UEFA to help the development of local coaches in Uganda with the vital education.
“We are excited by the visit of the UEFA president Ceferin to Uganda. He pledged to help with the astro-turf at the Acholi quarters playground and as Government we shall clear the taxes and other costs attached. I have engaged him on helping Uganda’s clubs and coaches to attain the UEFA Pro Licence and other necessary documentations.” Ogwang noted.
Ceferin visited the country on a special invitation of the Aliguma Foundation, one of the beneficiaries for the UEFA foundation for children grant in the world.
The UEFA president toured some of Aliguma Foundation projects in the slums of Kisenyi (Banda 1) across to Acholi Quarters where the slum football tournament takes place.
In Kisenyi, the guests were briefed about women empowerment projects that entail making of crafts and arts, liquid soap as well as sanitary pads, among others.
Football is not all about football. It encompasses very many other aspects. The UEFA Foundation for Children is to help children around the world. When we met Ritah (Aliguma), we were convinced that she is doing great work to help children. I have come to walk around and see the situation myself.
Aleksander Ceferin, President of UEFA
Ceferin was accompanied by the secretary general Urs Kluser, Kevin Lamour (member of the board) and Srsen Matej, a consultant as well as other officials as they embarked on a 4-KM march to the barren Acholi quarters playground.
Aliguma summarized Ceferin’s visit as a beam of hope and love, a key bridge to inspiring millions of youngsters in Uganda.
We are very grateful having hosted the UEFA president at the Acholi quarters community. It means a lot to the young children, local community, Uganda and Africa at large and the Aliguma Foundation. Mr Ceferin’s visit is a message of hope and love to all the young people here. I am very sure that many young people will be inspired because of his visit.
Ritah Aliguma, Founder & CEO – Aliguma Foundation
For starters, the Aliguma Foundation is among the 65 humanitarian projects around the world that benefit from UEFA’s grant worth €4.9 MILLION (an estimated UGX19.1 BILLION) to help in the grassroots football development.
The Aliguma Foundation helped to redevelop the multi-purpose Acholi Quarters Playground, improved the structures and status of the annual Banda Slums Soccer Tournament, bought a 15-acre piece of land in Kinuuma Village, Masindi District, started 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.
