FUFA President Moses Magogo has hailed Uganda’s historic qualification for the FIFA U17 World Cup as the result of deliberate and sustained investment in youth football, describing it as a milestone in a long-term plan that began nearly a decade ago.
Speaking in the wake of the Cubs’ 2-1 playoff victory over The Gambia in Morocco, which secured Uganda a place at the 2025 tournament in Qatar, Magogo said the achievement reflects the tangible fruits of a vision set in motion in 2015.
“FUFA took a bold decision to get intentional with youth football in 2015. Qualification to the U17 FIFA World Cup is just a KPI, not the process,” Magogo noted. “It is one thing to plan, it is another thing to see the progress and tangible fruits of the plans.”
Since 2015, FUFA has implemented a number of key initiatives aimed at nurturing young talent. These include the launch of the FUFA Juniors League, participation in all eligible CAF and FIFA youth tournaments, and the introduction of Odilo—the primary school football competition—in 2019.
FUFA also rolled out a 7-Year Technical Master Plan in 2023 and successfully advocated for provisions to regulate football academies under the new National Sports Act.
The federation also introduced regulations such as double licensing, designed to ensure youth players receive increased playing time.
“These initiatives have been central to building a structured pathway for young players to progress and compete at the highest levels,” Magogo explained.
Uganda’s qualification for the U17 World Cup adds to a growing list of youth achievements for the youth football teams.
In 2021, the U20 national team qualified for the U20 FIFA World Cup after finishing runners-up at the AFCON U20 Finals in Mauritania. However, the global tournament, which was set for Indonesia, was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Magogo extended his appreciation to the government, clubs, schools, parents, and all stakeholders who have supported FUFA’s youth football agenda.
“The future will only get better,” he stated. “Congratulations to the coaches and the gallant boys for this achievement. It is a proud moment for Ugandan football.”
