A total of 25 coaches began their six-month CAF A Diploma coaching course on June 11, 2024, at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru. The course was officially opened by FUFA CEO Edgar Watson on June 15, 2024, who served as the Chief Guest at the event.
This course marks the first under the CAF coaching convention launched in 2019, which sets guidelines developed by each of the six confederations to standardize all aspects of course management. The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) had to meet specific requirements for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to approve and authorize the course’s organization. This convention covers the CAF C, B, A, and Pro Diplomas.
In his opening remarks, Watson reiterated FUFA’s commitment to embracing coaching education and capacity building for coaches as part of the 2023-2030 FUFA Technical Masterplan. He emphasized the Federation’s vision to make Uganda the best footballing nation on and off the field in Africa.
“FUFA has done many things around governance, and through the guidance of the FUFA President, the Federation has now turned its focus on the real issues that occur on the field. That exactly was the President’s vision in the formulation of the Technical Plan. When we talk about issues on the field, we mean coaching, players, medical, and everything that operates around the pitch,” Watson stated.
“As FUFA, we want Uganda to be the number one footballing nation on and off the field in Africa, and you are the key stakeholders to ensure we succeed on the field. But we still think there is a lot to do about the results on the field, and that is where you, the coaches, are key stakeholders in developing the game and putting us at the top level,” he explained.
Watson also warned the coaches about the dangers of match manipulation, urging them to recognize, resist, and report any suspicious activities to help maintain the integrity of the game.
The comprehensive course includes three modules divided into seven blocks and will span over a period of six months. According to Ali Mwebe, FUFA Football Development Director, this course is the second-highest level of certification offered by CAF, with the prestigious CAF Pro License standing as the highest attainable level on the continent.
“The new convention of CAF came in 2019. It’s a set of guidelines standardizing the way courses are done, and it’s within this that you have to tick a few things to be allowed to organize courses at different levels,” said Mwebe.
He further added, “When it came, we worked around the clock to fulfill the requirements within that convention. In 2019, we fulfilled requirements and did CAF C. We were very proud but also aware of the long journey ahead of us to attain further levels. We, therefore, embarked on the agenda to fulfill the requirements of CAF B in 2021, which consequently came in 2022. We strategized again to embark on the requirements for CAF A, and the target was 2024. So, I am happy and very proud to stand before you, witnessing the CEO open this course that is core in our technical master plan in the areas of elite coaching development.”
The course, led by Kenyan International and CAF Coach Instructor Francis Kimanzi Mbindyo, covers various units such as technical/tactical football knowledge, teaching methodology, leadership/management, football physiology and anatomy, football science and nutrition, laws of the game, and media management. The course includes practical and theoretical elements throughout its 240 hours.
In attendance are several prominent coaches from the Uganda Premier League and FUFA Women Super League, alongside international participants. Notable participants include Brian Sseyondo (Kitara FC), Kikomeko Abbey Bogere (BUL FC), Muhumuza Fred (Vipers SC), and Michael Nam Ouma (Gor Mahia FC, Kenya), among others.
This initiative is part of FUFA’s efforts to ensure there are more highly qualified coaches handling teams from grassroots to professional levels, meeting CAF’s benchmark for coaching in its Interclub competitions, including the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.
