New secrets have emerged over the ongoing stand-off between FUFA and the Uganda premier league clubs with clubs seeking direct financial assistance from the government.
Following a meeting in State House that sparked off discussions over the clubs share on the Shs19bn FUFA annual budget, the government is considering chopping the FUFA budget and wire the money to the clubs.
According to inside sources, the clubs have told the minister of education and sports, also the First Lady Janet Museveni that they get no coin from FUFA yet they were reportedly considered in the federation’s proposal to the president that came with a reported ring-fenced Shs10bn budget.
“Government, starting the next financial year, is considering chopping part of FUFA money and wire it directly to the clubs. The clubs get nothing yet they keep these players and then FUFA takes Shs19bn. Funding the clubs will improve on the player welfare, competitiveness and standard of football. This is the proposal at hand,” a very reliable source privy to the meeting tipped this website.
Since the crisis State House meeting last month, FUFA has made improvements in the clubs funding, especially the Uganda premier league.
Rogers Byamukama, the FUFA Executive Secretary in charge of Marketing & Communication Rogers Byamukama says that Shs3.4bn will be invested in the league which will change the trajectory of the league.
“That money is guaranteeing the increase of prize money from Shs128m to Shs500m, it is guaranteeing a direct fund of Shs80m per club which money also brings locker room bonus to players equivalent to Shs100,000 per win. The money also brings medical insurance for players for them to give their best on the pitch, the money is also going to have an investment in the UPL secretariat,” he told FUFA media.
Ahead of FUFA’s meeting with the clubs this Tuesday over the new league format, some club leaders remain skeptical of FUFA commitment to financial pledges after failing to deliver on earlier promised Shs50m to clubs per season.
The majority of the clubs were opposed to FUFA’s new premier league format. The new format wants the league to be played in three rounds and have revenue share on matchday income.
FUFA, last week, told the clubs that it will transfer the Shs3.4bn to Big league in case they fail to accept the new three-round league format.
The clubs are also questioning the locker room bonus which are provided by betting platform betpawa with no legal status as Uganda premier league sponsors – which may affect the clubs’ possibility of partnering with other betting platforms.
