David GOMBE
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has on Monday, 16th March launched the inaugural Academies League.
The newly introduced tournament was launched by FUFA President Eng. Moses Hassim Magogo at the Kadiba stadium.
Magogo revealed that they will use the tournament to nurture and identify young talented players.
“We recently launched the FUFA Technical Master Plan that looks at a player in four folds. Mass Football where everyone is given a chance to play, Elite Football that looks at exposure of the talented players, Professional Football which focuses on the top side of a player and Life After Football,” he started.
“Today, we launch the FUFA Academies League which we believe will go a long way and identifying talents but also exposing them to organized competitions which we have been missing.”
The pilot League will start with 20 academies coming from the regions of Buganda and Kampala with hope and projection of spreading it across the 8 regions of FUFA.
The FUFA Academies League is part of FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme, supporting youth football in Uganda. It targets Grade 2 and 3 academies (players born 2011-2012), focusing on skill development and progression. FUFA’s Technical Master Plan, backed by FIFA, includes the Talent ID Framework to scout and nurture young talent nationwide.
According to FUFA, the eligibility criteria include age restrictions and mandatory licensing. The inaugural FUFA Academies League will begin on Sunday, 22nd March and will only cater for players under the age of 15.
Meanwhile, the FUFA Executive Committee has appointed the Tournament Organising Committee (TOC) for the Academies League, with Barente Ronald as Chairman, Kiwanuka Roberts as Vice Chairman, and Kigongo Farouk, Rodrick Muhumuza.
Former National team players Lwanga Ronald, Benjamin Ochan and Yasser Mugerwa will serve as members of the committee.
The teams participating in the pilot FUFA Academies League have each received 10 Zakayo balls ahead of the competition kick-off on 22nd March 2026.