Magogo reelected unopposed as Fufa boss

HOIMA. Moses Magogo is already the longest-serving Fufa president in the body’s 101-year history. He surpassed the 10-year reign of Fufa’s first president Sir Daudi Chwa two years ago.  

Magogo now has a new mandate that will take his time at the top of the beautiful game to 16 years following Saturday’s 101^st Fufa General Assembly.

Even before delegates headed to Hoima Resort Hotel in Hoima City for the elective assembly, we all knew the outcome since Magogo was unopposed.

There were no hiccups at the event that now ensured that by 2029 when his current term ends, Fufa will not have had an election involving more than one candidate for 28 years.

It was only the Budiope East MP who met all requirements which some have criticized for being too stringent ever since the electoral code was first amended in 2012.

Here, all that the Fufa electoral committee chairman Mathias Bwire had to do it to declare Magogo president again and request delegates to stand and clap. Oblige they did.

Then, hardly showing emotion, he laid out his agenda, his executive committee, with two changes from the 2021-2025 term, stood with him.

Consolidate

“I want to thank the members of Fufa for this decision. They have looked at what we have done in turning around the game from where it was in 2013 to today.

“We want to consolidate what we have done. There have been a lot of success but there are challenges.

“Looking at the future, we want to implement the Fufa technical master plan which is a dream and the encyclopedia of what we want to do on the pitch to compete,” he said.

Other focus areas outlined in his manifesto include improving governance, raising more money for the game, better administration and more stakeholder engagement.

The 48-year old also reminded delegates and media that Chan 2024 and Afcon 2027 to be hosted here for the first time are an “opportunity to convince Ugandans that football is much more than corner kicks and free kicks but touches society in various ways.”

Magogo remains a divisive figure as some accuse him of ring-fencing the position of presidency but his 12-year leadership has had some key milestones.

Uganda Cranes ended their 39-year absence from the Afcon in 2017 and has since qualified for 2019 and 2025 editions. The women’s national team, Crested Cranes, also went to the Wafcon in 2022 after 22 years.

National junior teams have struck high notes exemplified by the U17 side qualifying for the 2025 Fifa World Cup among others.

This has happened with Magogo leading the push for an increase in the sports budget and presenting a private members’ bill that led to writing a new sports law.

Having led the bid to bring the Afcon to the region, with Kenya and Tanzania as co-hosts, the government is building stadiums in Hoima and Lira plus training centres.

While he lists his challenges as “inadequate funding, mindsets that view the game as recreational, and vices that threaten the integrity of the game,” some will go deeper.

The top tier division, the StarTimes Uganda Premier League is not fully commercialized and still struggles for numbers.

"My re-election mandate has come from what we have achieved so far. Although more challenges remain, my main focus is getting money for the league,” Magogo stated. 

“If we have done it with the Cranes to qualify for the Afcon (2025) and with the U17 side, the Cubs, going to the World Cup - we can achieve it in club football too.” 

Women on top

Notably, Azar Taibu - a respected lawyer and former chairperson of Fufa’s Judicial Bodies - was elevated to the position of Fufa second vice president, filling the seat left vacant following the passing of Darius Mugoye in 2023. 

Taibu now joins Florence Nakiwala and Agnes Mugena, making a formidable trio of women in the Fufa executive. The new excom has been expanded from 15 to 17 members.  

Magogo expressed optimism about the new additions. “We have added in new faces. Dr. Azar is a PhD holder, works with the government, and we have worked with her as our head of legal bodies. As you know, women have their ways of doing things, so we believe having three ladies in the top executive is a bonus for us.” 

Fufa presidents

1924–1934: Kabaka Sir Daudi Chwa

1935–1944: W.A. Hunter

1945-1953: W.B. Ouseley

1954–1956: Eriasafu Nsobya

1957–1962: W.W. Kulubya

1963–1964: George Magezi

1965–1968: A.A.A Nekyon

1969–1971: Henry Balamaze Lwanga

1972–1974: Kezekia Ssegwanga Musisi

1974-1976: Eria Mugisa

1977–1979: Capt. Muhammed Sseruwagi

1979–1980: Gerald Sendawula

1981: Steven Ibale

1982: Peter Abe

1982–1983: Careb Babihuga

1983–1985: Geresom Kagurusi

1985: Chris Rwanika

1985–1987: Barnabas Byabazaire

1988–1989: Paul Katamba Lujjo

1989–1992: John Baptist Semanobe

1992: John Ssebaana Kizito (May – December)

1994: Ben Kurtis Omoding Snr

1994–1995: Moses Ali

1995–1998:  Hajji Twaha Kakaire

1998–2004: Denis Obua

2005–2013: Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa

2013-todate: Eng. Moses Magogo Hassim