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Hat-Trick of Hope: Aliguma Foundation secures third Uefa grant
Power Of A Ball. The CEO of Aliguma Foundation Ritah Aliguma with children from one of the upcountry schools where the foundation has made an impact. PHOTOS/COURTESY
What you need to know:
Transforming Lives. From upgrading slum playgrounds to breaking ground in Masindi, the Aliguma Foundation’s third Uefa grant is set to transform lives with a new primary school for Uganda’s underprivileged.
One good turn, deserves another, so goes the old English adage that the Aliguma Foundation (AF) seem to have understood a lot better than several other charitable organisations in Uganda.
And indeed one has bred two for AF who have once again earned international recognition by securing a third consecutive grant from the Uefa Foundation for Children. This latest funding will be drawn from a €5 million global pool (an estimated Shs20.3b) supporting 72 projects in 80 countries, marking another leap forward in the foundation’s mission to uplift Uganda’s most vulnerable communities.
Building on the momentum of two earlier grants, the Foundation’s transformative work has already left a lasting impact. The first grant, worth €144,911 (Shs580m) and spanning January 2021 to January 2022, funded the much-needed upgrade of the Acholi Quarters playground in Banda, Kampala—a space that now serves as a hub for grassroots football and community engagement.
Larger than life
The second grant, valued at €200,000 (about Shs800m) and running from December 2022 to December 2024, enabled groundbreaking works for the Aliguma Foundation Sports and Empowerment Centre (AFSEC) in Masindi District.
Children celebrate after winning a game.
The new funding, scheduled for 2025, will drive the Foundation’s most ambitious project yet – the building of a primary school in Masindi designed to provide formal education for less-privileged children.
“This third grant is a testament to the trust in our work and the transformative power of football,” said Ritah Aliguma, CEO AF. “We’re excited to expand our reach and ensure children and caregivers in Uganda have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.”
UEFA Foundation General Secretary Carine N’koué also emphasised the significance of this initiative: “These projects demonstrate the incredible power of sport to change lives. We are proud to support organisations like the AF that work tirelessly to make a difference.”
This latest achievement positions the AF among global leaders in leveraging football for social impact, solidifying its role as a champion for underserved communities.
ABOUT ALIGUMA FOUNDATION
Started: 2017
Founder: Ritah Aliguma
Projects: Acholi Quarters Playground, Ndi Mwana – The Cry Of A Girl Child, What A Ball Can Do, Annual Banda Slums Soccer Tournament, Aliguma Foundation Soccer Academy, Aliguma Foundation Sports & Empowerment Centre – Masindi, Say No To Abuse, Back To School, Rocks & Crafts Works, Environmental Defenders.
Partners: Uefa Foundation For Children – SREP, UNHCR, Rotary, Wopi Boston International, Friends of Aliguma Foundation – USA, AIPS, Italian Embassy, Standard Chartered Bank and Nigerian International Ola Aina, Matteo Cicatiello – Italian Fifa Agent, Winfried Singo of Monaco FC, Gleison Bremer of Juventus, Tufts University, Makerere University, USAID, Shoes4Life, NFL & GSMP
