Kampala, Uganda: The Federation of Uganda Football Associations has launched the FUFA Academies League, a new competition aimed at identifying and nurturing young football talent across the country.
The initiative was unveiled on Monday at FUFA Stadium, Kadiba, by FUFA President Moses Hassim Magogo, who said the league is a key component of the federation’s long-term player development strategy.
Magogo explained that the competition aligns with FUFA’s Technical Master Plan, which focuses on structured player growth from grassroots identification to elite performance.
“The Technical Master Plan focuses on the life cycle of a player, starting with talent identification… working with FIFA under the Talent Development Scheme,” Magogo said.
He emphasized that intentional development is critical to producing top-level professionals. “For you to get a top professional, we must be intentional in the things we do,” he added.
Magogo also revealed that football academies must now operate under strict regulatory frameworks. “It is now illegal to operate an academy or a group of children without a licence from the National Council of Sports, and you cannot obtain that licence without the approval of FUFA,” he said.
Platform for grassroots talent
The FUFA Academies League is designed to bridge gaps for young players outside existing competitions, particularly those not participating in the Juniors League. “This competition will give them an opportunity to compete and showcase their development,” Magogo noted.
The pilot phase will feature 20 academies from Kampala and Buganda regions, with matches set to be played in a structured, centralised format.
FUFA has appointed a seven-member Tournament Organising Committee to manage the competition, led by Ronald Barente as Chairperson and Roberts Kiwanuka as Vice Chairperson. Other members include Kigongo Farouk, Rodrick Muhumuza, and former Uganda Cranes players Ronald Lwanga, Benjamin Ochan, and Yasser Mugerwa.
The inaugural league will kick off on March 22, 2026, targeting players under the age of 15 and offering a competitive platform to groom the next generation of Ugandan football stars.
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