In a move aimed to drum up energy for Uganda team perform well in African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament, President Yoweri Museveni has pledged shs1.2 billion to be shared among the Uganda Cranes team for every win in the tram makers.
The pledge was conveyed to the team by Speaker of Parliament Anita Among while addressing journalists at Parliament.
Among commended President Yoweri Museveni and Minister for Sports Janet Museveni for their love and passion for football in Uganda.
“Play with heart, play for your country, and play to win. The whole nation is behind you,” she said, relaying the president’s message to the team.
State minister for Sports Peter Ogwang says each player will receive Shs30 million for every win.
The shs1.2 billion is expected to motivate the players as Uganda seeks to make its first mark at this edition of the continental tournament for local-based players.
Uganda kicks off this year’s tournament with Algeria, today at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole in an edition organized by the three East African countries of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
The 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024), the men’s football competition reserved for players active in theircountries’ domestic leagues kicked off on Saturday, 2 August, and run until 30 August 2025.
Uganda has also paid $13m (Shs49.4b) in commitment fees for Chan, which is supposed to test the country’s readiness for Afcon and offer a guide to any would be challenges. Suffice to note that $30m (Shs114b) has also been paid as a commitment fee for Afcon.Uganda has committed more than Shs1 trillion to stadium projects as it prepares to host CHAN and AFCON.
The funding, part of the 2025/26 national budget, will support ongoing construction and upgrades at major sports facilities, including
Hoima, Akii-Bua, and Mandela National Stadium
“In preparation for CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027, Government has so far spent 496.8 billion shillings for the construction of Hoima and Akii-Bua Stadiums as well as the associated training facilities across the country,” Finance Minister Matia Kasaija said.
“Government will spend a total of 1.3 trillion shillings to get these facilities completed.The Shs1.3 trillion comes from the broader Shs72.3 trillion national budget for the financial year 2025/26,”he stated.