In a landmark achievement for Ugandan football, Moses Magogo, President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), has hailed the successful bid to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as the pinnacle of his leadership tenure.
Speaking after the conclusion of the 2025 AFCON final in Morocco, Magogo expressed that bringing Africa’s premier football tournament to Uganda is the most significant moment of his presidency, surpassing all previous milestones. “Despite achieving historic milestones as the Federation… none of the above makes me as emotional as realising the dream of bringing AFCON to Uganda in my lifetime,” he stated, underscoring the emotional weight of this accomplishment.
Uganda will co-host the tournament alongside Kenya and Tanzania, an unprecedented collaboration that marks a historic first for the East African region and the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) zone. The joint initiative is called the “Pamoja” bid and aims to unite the nations in a celebration of African football.
Milestone Achievements Under Magogo’s Leadership
Reflecting on his tenure, Magogo noted the notable return of the Uganda Cranes to the AFCON after a 40-year absence, with the team qualifying four times in the past decade. He also highlighted the return of the Crested Cranes to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a 22-year break, stating, “Taking Uganda Cranes back to Afcon after 40 years (and now 4 times in 10 years), taking the Crested Cranes back to Wafcon [Women’s Africa Cup of Nations) after 22 years.”
His leadership has seen the establishment of a federation-owned stadium that meets international standards for top-tier matches, along with the launch of FUFA’s own media outlets. “Starting and operating a Satellite TV Channel and FM Radio owned by the Federation that now produces and airs the Uganda Premier League when no media house was willing to invest,” Magogo emphasized, pointing out how this reflects the federation’s commitment to self-sustainability.
In terms of youth development, Magogo noted progress across national youth teams, including 20 qualifications for continental finals, and significant achievements such as the U20 team’s final appearances and the U17 team’s debut at a FIFA World Cup.
On the governance side, the FUFA leader mentioned notable reforms, including securing direct government funding for national teams and championing the 2023 National Sports Act, which has led to increased infrastructure investments. This includes renovations at Namboole stadium and the construction of new facilities in Hoima and Akii Bua. FUFA has contributed 24 acres for the Hoima project—a testament to their commitment to improving football infrastructure in the region.
Despite an impressive track record, Magogo maintains that hosting AFCON is the crowning achievement of his presidency. With preparations for the 2027 tournament underway, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania are set to welcome Africa’s premier football event for the first time, an opportunity that promises to leave a lasting legacy for the sport in the region.
