As Uganda Cranes edges closer to the 2014 World Cup qualification, President Yoweri Museveni has thrown his weight behind the team.
Uganda Cranes
The president, who called the Cranes camp from his country home in Rwakitura to moral boost the team before the match later ordered State House Director for Communication, Sarah Kagingo to pass his celebration message to the team after the victory.
“Kagingo told me to tell the team the president is very happy with what they (Cranes) have done for this country. She said that the president is willing to host the team for a dinner next week and fulfil his pledges to both the Cranes and FUFA,” Cranes media manager Fred Malibu said yesterday.
The president, who played inter-house football competitions during his time at Ntare School had post¬ed on his fans’ face¬book page before kick-off of the crucial match saying that “I wish Uganda Cranes good luck. My promise to them will be implemented.”
Last year, Museveni visited the Uganda Cranes camp at Nambole Stadium and offered sh50m to motivate the players ahead of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya.
The same year, the president ordered the ministry of Education and sports and the finance minister to fund FUFA and the athletics federation with sh350m every year but the former has said that they only receive sh20m from government quarterly.
Meanwhile, FUFA has rewarded Cranes players and officials with sh80m winning bonus for the 2-1 victory Angola courtesy of FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa on Saturday.
Each Uganda Cranes player in the 2-1 defeat of Nambole pocketed sh2m at Sky Hotel while the staff had got varied amounts according to their designations.
“I’m very proud of you all. You did the country proud and you deserve the appreciation,” Mulindwa said as he gave out the cash. Mulindwa also encouraged the players to keep the momentum and continue winning their matches as a move to inspire the government to finance them.
By Swalley Kenyi, The New Vision
