The Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor for Special Operations, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has rewarded the Uganda Cranes players with 30 million Uganda shillings following their victory over the Libyan national team at Hoima City Stadium.
The cash gift was delivered by Hon. Daudi Kabanda, head of the Patriot League of Uganda (PLU) Office of the National Chairman and Member of Parliament for Kasambya Constituency.
Team captain Denis Onyango received the money on behalf of the squad, in the presence of State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang and FUFA President Moses Magogo.
Delivering the CDF’s message, Hon. Kabanda emphasized that they should approach the tournament not merely as host participants automatically guaranteed a spot, but as serious contenders driven to win all their games and emerge as champions of the competition.
the match served as an important test at the newly built Hoima City Stadium as Uganda continues its preparations to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Kenya and Tanzania under the “AFCON Pamoja” initiative.
The joint tournament marks the first time in CAF history that three nations are staging Africa’s flagship football competition together.
Although Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania automatically qualify for the 24-team final tournament as hosts, all three nations are actively participating in the qualifying rounds to build match fitness and test team setups ahead of 2027.
Uganda is placed in Group H alongside Tunisia, Libya, and Botswana, where only the highest-ranked non-host team will join Uganda in advancing to the final tournament.
The gesture underscores the General’s active, hands-on role in driving the nation’s sports sector and strategic infrastructure development forward.
Beyond the financial token, State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang recently lauded Gen. Muhoozi’s hands-on leadership and oversight in keeping the $130 million Hoima City Stadium project on track. Built by Turkish firm Summa, the 20,000-seat facility successfully hosted this competitive match as a direct test of Uganda’s readiness.
Delivered by Kasambya MP Hon. Daudi Kabanda (head of the Patriotic League of Uganda national chairman’s office), the CDF’s message serves as a high-level command to the squad: the Cranes must shed any complacency as automatic co-hosts.
Gen. Muhoozi is leveraging his institutional influence to push the national team toward becoming an African football powerhouse rather than just host participants
This match marked a critical operational milestone for the “AFCON Pamoja” initiative, where Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania will make history as the first three nations to jointly stage the Africa Cup of Nations.
Although all three host nations automatically qualify for the 24-team final tournament, they are playing through the qualifiers to test team setups and maximize match fitness
Uganda is actively competing in Group H alongside Tunisia, Libya, and Botswana, where the highest-ranked non-host team will join them in advancing to the finals
