Aleksander Ceferin, the president for Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) concluded his two-day visit to Uganda on the afternoon of Tuesday, 15th March 2023.
Ceferin visited the country on a special invitation of the Aliguma Foundation, one of the beneficiaries for the UEFA foundation for children grant in the world.
On his first ever visit to Uganda, he toured some of Aliguma Foundation projects in the slums of Kisenyi (Banda 1) across to Acholi Quarters where the slum football tournament takes place.
He easily mingled with the slum dwellers, smiled and at times cried as the different women groups sang and danced for him.
In Kisenyi, Ceferin and his entourage were accompanied by Ritah Aliguma (CEO and Founder of the Aliguma Foundation), the state minister for sports Hon. Peter Ogwang, Ambrose Tashobya (chairman, National Council of Sports) and other officials.
They were briefed about women empowerment projects that entail making of crafts and arts, liquid soap as well as sanitary pads, among others.
“Football is not all about football. It encompasses very many other aspects. The UEFA Foundation for Children is to help children around the world. When we met Ritah (Aliguma), we were convinced that she is doing great work to help children. I have come to walk around and see the situation myself” he briefly remarked before embarking on the 4 kilometre road trek to the barren Acholi Quarters playground, led by the brass band.
Ceferin exhibited his footballing skills as he explicitly juggled and passed the ball with minister Ogwang before he blasted the ball into the skies, much to the applause of the crowd whose majority were children, parents (mostly mothers) and other guests.
An overwhelmed Aliguma expressed delight upon this historic visit of Ceferin, that, she envisages as a beam of hope and love, a key bridge to inspiring millions of youngsters in Uganda.
“We are very grateful having hosted the UEFA president at the Acholi quarters community. It means a lot to the young children, local community, Uganda and Africa at large and the Aliguma Foundation. Mr Ceferin’s visit is a message of hope and love to all the young people here. I am very sure that many young people will be inspired because of his visit.” She spoke in a coarse voice.
State minister Ogwang was humbled by the visit and committed to play the Government’s role as the UEFA Foundation also further supports the projects.
Ogwang pleaded for a collaboration of UEFA to help the development of local coaches in Uganda with the vital education.
We are excited by the visit of the UEFA president Ceferin to Uganda. He pledged to help with the astro-turf at the Acholi quarters playground and as Government we shall clear the taxes and other costs attached. I have engaged him on helping Uganda’s clubs and coaches to attain the UEFA Pro Licence and other necessary documentations. Hon. Peter Ogwang, Uganda’s state Minister of Sports
There were several exhibition matches for children below 14 years as the UEFA president and other guests cheered aloud.
The Aliguma Foundation is among the 65 humanitarian projects around the world that benefit from UEFA’s grant worth €4.9 MILLION (an estimated UGX19.1 BILLION) to help in the grassroots football development.
Ceferin’s intended visit to the State House was canceled at the 11th hour due to unforeseen circumstances as he rushed to travel to Rwanda for the FIFA Congress.
