The Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) has backed Federation of Uganda Football Associations president Moses Magogo’s appeal for increased government funding to strengthen sports development in schools.
The support follows Magogo’s recent submission of a special budget request to Parliament seeking additional resources for sports infrastructure under the mass football project.
The proposal focuses on the purchase and distribution of balls and other essential sports equipment to secondary schools nationwide. It has generated public debate, particularly over how the funding document was presented, but USSSA leadership says the core objective remains necessary for the growth of school sports.
USSSA president Justus Mugisha defended the request, citing persistent underfunding of school sports programmes. He said the association currently receives about Shs7 billion annually from government, a figure he believes is insufficient to meet operational and development needs.
“I support Hon. Moses Magogo’s idea of securing more funds to supply schools with balls and other sports requirements. As USSSA, the Shs7 billion we receive is too little. We need about Shs17 billion to effectively cater for all our needs as an association,” says Mugisha.
Mugisha also rejected suggestions that expanded sports programmes could compromise academic performance. He said better funding would instead create balanced opportunities for learners while improving participation and fairness in competition.
According to USSSA, increased investment would widen access to sports, improve grassroots structures, and help build a stronger pipeline for Uganda’s future sporting success.
