Up the skies above Kololo Ceremonial Independence Grounds in Kampala, the sun is glowing red hot.
Half an hour later, its turns cloudy and a few moments to come, rain drizzles fall and in a quick turn, it is bright once again.
This is the weather pattern on the day mother land Uganda is officially launching CHAN 2024, a football tournament organized by CAF which only permits players who feature in the respective domestic league of their countries.
These swift interesting turns in weather are typical of the tropical climate zone, the exact feeling that the guests from across Africa will experience on the land christened as “Pearl of Africa” during their anticipated memorable stay for the belated championship.
Virtually, Kololo embraced the CHAN 2024 atmosphere as His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni set the tone on the afternoon of Friday, 25th July 2025.
This was during the launch of the official logo for the local organizing committee, website and the tournament jersey for Uganda Cranes.
As early as 10 am, invited guests had started to arrive at the well decorated ceremonial grounds.
By 3:19 pm, the presidential convoy arrived as the atmosphere got electrifying. The long wait was finally over.
With famous Ndere Troupe drumming, the president clad in his customary white shirt and round hat on the head alighted from the car, flanked by the first lady who is also the minister of Education and Sports Mamma Janet Kataha Museveni.
The master of ceremony Hon. Peter Ogwang (the state minister of sports) brought the congregation to order before the Uganda, East Africa and CAF anthems were sung aloud.
Shiekh Ali Waiswa and Bishop Herbert Buyondo, representing the Inter-Religious council led the prayer session.
The general set-up at Kololo was pro-football; having a mini football-pitch with goal posts where the president scored after his famous juggle of the ball that excited many.
The future generation was ably represented by the young academy players, school students and current players.
Retired former footballers had a heavy representation composed of players from different generations.
Football administrators from Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), clubs and other sports association-cum- federation leaders and athletes were also presented.
The Vice President Hon Jessica Alupo, Chief Whip Hon. Hamson Obua, ministers, members of parliament, permanent secretaries and other local Government leaders graced this historic launch.
The international envoy from the different countries was also present with a special guest, the secretary general of East African Community, H.E. Veronica Mueni Nduva.
Before and after the president arrived, there were enticing performances from different musical groups as Jeff Crew from Makindye and the Wembley Mo Foundation. The latter wooed the crowd to the brim.
“PAMOJA is more than football but a celebration of shared identities for Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. This marked a commitment of all the three East African heads of states. Today marks a culmination of hard-work and dedication under the leadership of the senior minister of education and sports Mamma Janet Museveni. Your commitment is not only to football but all sports in this country. We thank the president for the able leadership” Hon. Ogwang remarked.
In his address, the president elucidated the different benefits of sports to the individual persons, the general public and the country at large.
Sports teaches you to persist in body (stamina) and character which leads to determination development. It promotes teamwork and skill development. Sports is very good for health to burn the fat, strengthen the muscles, activate the body coordination. To the public, it is a form of entertainment, builds fame for the country and helps in promotion of sales.
The president pointed to the element of nation building as the long standing factor why sports was not initially given priority.
For a long time, our support for sports was indirect because we were still in nation building. By ensuring good peace, the good school system which was expanded and the health (immunization), many sportsmen and women came up by their own. Now we started direct support, we built Namboole Stadium and many facilities have come up because of the CHAN opportunity. The positive pressure helped us to create some facilities starting with CHOGM, NAM and now CHAN. We are very happy for CHAN. It has provoked us to do something. People will come here and appreciate Uganda.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
The president then launched the official Uganda Cranes team jersey, the Local Organizing committee logo and website.
The First Lady Janet Museveni tagged the CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027 hosting opportunity as a fresh page in a new book.
The opportunity to host CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027 marks the turning, not only of a new chapter in an old book, but, a fresh page in a new book for our homeland. CHAN 2024 brings moments of reflection for us as a country, especially those who know the history that we have been through.
Hon. Janey Kataha Museveni, First Lady and Minister of Education & Sports
As the direct minister in charge of sports, she vowed to deliver the best tournament.
‘The Local Organizing Committee for CHAN-2024 and AFCON-2027 that I chair, together with the various agencies of the government are committed to delivering a safe and secure tournament for all Ugandans and the visitors that shall come to our country.” The first lady added.
The president of FUFA Eng. Moses Hashim Magogo, a key brain behind the PAMOJA bid was ecstatic in his brief remarks.
“This is an emotional day” Magogo started.
Dreams, I can testify come true. As FUFA, we had a dream to improve the sporting infrastructure in this country. We had a dream to host Africa in East Africa. We teamed up with Kenya and Tanzania in the East African integration. Governments signed guarantees and we submitted the bid. We thank president Museveni. We would not be here without your personal input. There has never been a better time for a football person in Uganda than now. We are hosting Africa, we have the infrastructure. We are now ready to host CHAN 2024.
Eng. Moses Magogo, FUFA President
Uganda is in group C alongside Algeria, Niger, South Africa and Guinea.
The Cranes’ opening match will be on the 4th August 2025 against Algeria Desert Foxes.
There was entertainment by musicians Levixone and Chameleone as the guests joined the party before departure at leisure.
The party is just beginning.
