Parliamentary budget committee

The Budget Committee for the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda paid a visit to the FUFA Complex in Mengo, Kampala.

The courtesy visit was aimed at learning more about the activities of the Football governing body in Uganda and how the game of football is administered and governed.

FUFA President, Hon. Moses Magogo Hassim took the Budget Committee through a series of activities, including a presentation on FUFA and it’s development programmes.

“We think that Parliament is an important player in our activities. Understanding FUFA is very crucial because very many times people don’t know who we are,” the President indicated.

“Many people at times define us by the Uganda Cranes but FUFA runs 9 National Teams and different domestic Competitions. We are private in nature, comprised of 34 Members, spread across the country.”

The President then expressed the challenges that the football industry faces and why Government must offer support in averting them.

“Football has moved from just being a sport but rather a business. Therefore, we not only fall under the sports industry but cut across other sectors such as health, tourism and investment among others. Challenges such as the sports law, funding, infrastructure and policies need the hand of government.” He explained.

He also stated that FUFA contributes to the National Treasury through paying taxes and thus more investment into football would widen the country’s tax base.

“Recently, URA listed FUFA a big tax payer. We pay over one billion shillings in taxes annually. So more investment into this sector would generate more revenue to the Government.”

The Committee was then taken on a guided tour of the FUFA Premises, including offices and 102.1 FUFA fm Studios. They later also had a tour of the Kadiba Training Facility in Mengo that is still under construction.

Parliamentary budget committee

FUFA 1st Vice President, Justus Mugisha who is also the head of projects and infrastructure at the Federation believes the visit by the Budget Committee means a lot in taking the game closer to Parliament and Government in general.

Budget Committee Members that visited FUFA

Hon. Patrick Isiagi Opolot – Chairman
Hon. James Kaberuka Ruugi – Kinkizi West
Hon. Pascal Mbabazi – Buwekula
Prof. Elijah Mushemeza – Mawoggola North
Hon. Gyaviira Ssemwanga- Buyamba County
Hon. Paul Omara – Otuke County
Hon. Maxwell Patrick Akora – Maruzi
Hon. Amos Kankunda – Rwampara
Hon. Wilfred Nuwagaba – Ndorwa West
Hon.Moses Aleper – Chekwi
Hon. Donald Katalilwa Byabazaire – Mwenge South
Hon.Brenda Namukuta – District Woman Representative, Kaliro.
Hon. Michael Lulume Bayigga – Buikwe South
Hon.Dennis Nyangweso – MP Samia Bugwe Central
Hon. Geoffrey Ekanya – Tororo
Hon. Annet Mugisha Katusiime – District Woman Representative, Bushenyi