FUFA over the weekend held its annual General Assembly in Mbarara, and several items were presented and discussed. The areas included governance, football development, national teams, football business, among others.
At the same event held at Hotel Triangle, four distinguished individuals from the Western Region were recognised for their outstanding contribution to the game of football over the years.
These included Wilson Tumwine, Yakub Ssali, Geoffrey Bukohore and Abbas Ssendyowa (RIP), who received a posthumous award.
Wilson Tumwine
He has been a great supporter of football over the years. Tumwine started and funded the Pelican Cup in the 90s, covering over 15 districts within the Western Region.
Since 2009, the Western Region Football Association offices have been housed in one of his buildings.
Tumwine formerly served as Chairperson of the National Council of Sports and former chairperson of the FUFA Competitions Committee.
Abbas Ssendyowa (RIP)
A former referee, Ssendyowa went on to serve as an instructor at both CAF and FIFA Level. He is greatly respected for inspiring several referees in the region, including the reigning best CAF female referee Shamirah Nabadda.
Ssendyowa started the Mbogo Women Football Club but also served as a long-time chairman of the FUFA Zone Six.
At the FUFA Ordinary General Assembly, his award was picked by the family led by his wife, Janat Ssendyowa.
Yakub Ssali
He played for Mbarara United in two different spells; first between 1984 and 1989 and later on returning for the second spell that stretched from 1992 to 1997.
In between those two spells at Mbarara United, Ssali also had a stint at Express FC (1990-1991).
He also played for Uganda Cranes between 1987 and 1989.
Geoffrey Bukohore
Started his football career at the football powerhouse schools within the region and that is Ntare School and Mbarara High School before later in joining Kibuli SS.
He played for the National Junior Teams but most famously the U23 team in 1999 that played at the All-Africa Games in South Africa.
Bukohore went ahead to play for State House FC and SC Villa before relocating to the US.
He has since returned and is now working at SC Villa as part of the management.
Each of the four individuals was given a plaque and a cash prize of Ush one million.
The recognition and awarding have been a norm for FUFA over the years during its General Assembly, where they appreciate people from within the host region.
