Kiwanuka Re-elected to Lead UYFA as Youth Football Enters New Phase
Roberts Kiwanuka has been re-elected Chairman of the Uganda Youth Football Association (UYFA) for a second term, pledging to strengthen youth football structures and expand opportunities for young players across Uganda.
Kiwanuka was returned unopposed at UYFA’s Annual General Meeting held at FUFA Hotel in Kisaasi on Saturday. He will serve as chairman until 2029 after being declared elected by Ben Mwesigwa on behalf of the FUFA Electoral Committee.
His re-election comes at a critical time for youth football in Uganda, with the association seeking to rebuild its structures, widen its reach and create a stronger pathway for young players to progress through the game.
Representing FUFA President Moses Magogo, FUFA Executive Committee member Ronald Barente attended the AGM and challenged stakeholders to unite behind the development of football at grassroots level.
“Our goal is clear: to have football felt and played in every homestead across the country. You are the pillars of the game. Your time, sacrifice and commitment keep football alive in communities across Uganda,” Barente said.
He said coaches, administrators, academies and other stakeholders have a critical role to play in ensuring that young talent is identified and nurtured across the country.
“Without you, there are no competitions, no talent development, and no progress. To deliver this, we must remain united. I urge all stakeholders to protect, defend, and promote the beautiful game. Division weakens us. Unity builds us,” he added.
Barente also called for greater professionalism in the administration of youth football, urging UYFA and its stakeholders to make strategic planning a central part of their work.
“Every football activity must have a strategic plan. Let us think, plan, and act with purpose so our decisions are deliberate and results are measurable. Football is our identity, our opportunity, and our national pride,” he said.
From a difficult year to a fresh start
For Kiwanuka, the new term begins after a challenging period in which UYFA activities were suspended as the association worked with FUFA and the National Council of Sports (NCS) to align its operations with the Sports Act 2023 and statutory licensing requirements.
“For almost a year, our activities were placed on hold as we worked with FUFA and NCS to align our operations with the requirements of the Sports Act 2023 and the statutory licensing instruments. I know this period has been difficult,” Kiwanuka said.
However, the chairman believes the process has also created an opportunity to put youth football on a stronger and more credible foundation.
The re-registration of football academies with UYFA and FUFA has helped establish an updated database of academies, providing a clearer picture of the institutions involved in developing young footballers.
Kiwanuka now wants to use that foundation to take youth football beyond Kampala and Buganda.
The FUFA U15 Academy League, which started in Kampala and Buganda as a benchmark and pilot project, is expected to provide lessons for expanding organised youth competitions to other parts of the country.
The broader ambition is to create a system where talented youngsters can access structured football opportunities regardless of where they live.
With his second term running until 2029, Kiwanuka and his committee face the task of turning that ambition into a nationwide youth football structure one capable of identifying talent early, providing regular competition and creating clear pathways for players to progress.
New UYFA Executive Committee
Kiwanuka Roberts – Chairman
Kigongo Farouk – Vice President Technical
Hajji Jaffer Ssengenda – Vice President Administration
Gad Batuse – Committee Member
Ssentongo Abbey – Committee Member
Omara Francis – Committee Member
Fridah Mabeeri – Committee Member
Sserumaga Peter – Committee Member
Betty Mayanja Nagadya – Committee Member
Erebu John Michael – Committee Member
Kalema Violet – Committee Member
For UYFA, the message from Saturday’s AGM is clear: the next three years must be about moving youth football from isolated programmes to a more organised, inclusive and nationwide system giving Uganda’s young players more opportunities to play, develop and ultimately progress to the highest levels of the game.