The president of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), Mr. Aleksander Čeferin, is currently in Uganda for his second visit to the Pearl of Africa. This visit is at the official invitation of the Aliguma Foundation, aiming to make a significant impact on the less privileged through the beautiful game of football.
Wearing his trademark grin, Čeferin arrived with Radenko Mijatović, the president of the Football Association of Slovenia.
The distinguished guests were warmly welcomed by Aliguma Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ritah Aliguma, State Minister of Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang, and legislator Hon. Asuman Basalirwa, also a Member of Parliament (MP) for Bugiri Municipality at the Very Very Important Persons (VVIP) Lounge of Entebbe International Airport.
No love lost
After exchanging embraces and pleasantries, the quartet addressed the press during a short conference at the VVIP Lounge.
Čeferin expressed his happiness to be back in Uganda, stating, “I am happy to be back here, again. We are friends now. Tomorrow (February 12) between 2 to 6 pm, we shall not be friends because it is match time. We want to win,” followed by a light-hearted joke to the Parliament of Uganda Soccer Team.
“I am excited to return to Uganda to visit the football projects and see the wonderful people,” he added.
Accompanying Čeferin are 22 UEFA Legends, scheduled to play a charity football match against the Parliament of Uganda at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, on February 12. The proceeds from the match will support the ‘Boy & Girl-Child’ campaigns of the Aliguma Foundation.
Hon. Peter Ogwang welcomed Čeferin and mentioned; “We appreciate his love for Uganda. We look forward to a successful visit, and I will personally organise a meeting for him with the First Lady, Mama Janet Museveni. Feel free to tour the country.”
Activity-laden visit
The delegation was later hosted to dinner at Serena Hotel, Kampala, by the Rt Hon. Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and her deputy Thomas Tayebwa.
Unlike his brief visit last year, Čeferin has a packed schedule for the next 48 hours. He will visit the Joel Kigozi Football Academy and Acholi Quarters in Kireka-Banda on the morning of February 12. In the afternoon, he will captain the UEFA Legends team against the Parliament of Uganda in a highly anticipated match that will thrill and excite in equal measure.
On Tuesday, February 13, Čeferin will travel to Masindi in Kinuuma Village – Bigando Parish, Miirya Sub-County to commission works at the Aliguma Foundation Sports & Empowerment Center (AFSEC) and kick the first ball at the center’s training football ground. The UEFA president and his team will depart the country on Wednesday, February 14, after meeting selected government leaders.
FULL DELEGATION TO UGANDA
Aleksander Čeferin, Robert Volk, Silvo Vrhovec, Mišo Brečko, Branko Ilić, Boštjan Cesar, Miran Pavlin, Milivoje Novaković, Radenko Mijatović, Luka Pavlin, Goran Barišić, Mitja Sojer, Andrej Vrhovec, Bojan Jokić, Milenko Aćimović, Gregor Šmajd, Robert Koren, Blažo Marojević, Branimir Ivka, Ivan Devčić, Jože Prelogar, Francesco Antonio Campagna, Goran Cvijanović.
