The Budiope East legislator, Moses Magogo, who also serves as FUFA president, has urged President Yoweri Museveni to lead efforts in constructing a standard football stadium in the Busoga sub-region. Magogo, who doubles as the National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairperson in Buyende district, said his position as FUFA president has placed him under scrutiny by people from Busoga over the lack of stadiums in the region.
Addressing congregants during President Museveni’s campaign rally at Kagulu Primary School grounds in Buyende on Tuesday, Magogo noted that Busoga contributes about 40% of players on all national football teams. “This shows that Busoga is a home of football talent, which can be better nurtured through standard stadiums,” he said. He added that building stadiums would help scout more talent capable of reaching professional levels.
Magogo acknowledged that the achievements of both age-grade and national teams from the region, which have performed well nationally, were made possible through continuous government support. Residents, however, say more still needs to be done. Sylvester Obondo said his teenage sons have shown footballing potential but lack funds for professional training academies, stunting their development.
“I watch in despair as my sons spend evenings at the nearby primary school playground hoping to improve their skills, but not much comes of it,” Obondo said. He urged that standard sports facilities be constructed in every district to support less privileged children whose parents cannot afford private academies. Annet Namulikya, another Buyende resident, said most trading centers in the district have large wooden video halls where youths gather to watch football games on weekends.
She said the excitement after each goal reflects hopeful faces of lost opportunities, as many young people dream of international football careers but miss out due to lack of proper training facilities. “Preparing outstanding talents for the sporting world requires availability of training venues and qualified coaches at all levels,” Namulikya added.
Busoga sub-region was previously known for the Bugembe-based Kyabazinga Stadium, but encroachment by individuals, some of whom have constructed houses on parts of the land, has hindered expansion and remodeling into a standard facility. Kakindu Stadium in Jinja city serves as a fallback, but it is mired in endless court battles, discouraging meaningful investments from both government and private sector actors.
Data indicates that Busoga lacks a standard football stadium, forcing aspiring professionals to rely on stadiums in the central region. Currently, the only top-flight team from Busoga hosts its home games at the Njeru-based Busoga sub-region stadium in the central region.
***URN***