The FIFA Club Professionalisation and Management Programme in Africa officially launched in Kampala on Thursday, offering Ugandan Premier League (UPL) clubs a unique opportunity to enhance their management capabilities.
The two-day workshop, held at the Golden Tulip Hotel, aims to elevate the standards of club management and governance across Africa.
FUFA President Moses Magogo, accompanied by FUFA’s 1st and 3rd Vice Presidents Justus Mugisha and Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi, officially opened the event. In his remarks, Magogo emphasized the importance of knowledge in transforming society, stating, “We are grateful for FIFA’s support, which now extends beyond federations to include clubs. This programme offers invaluable insights that club administrators can leverage to grow their brands.”
Top officials from FUFA, including CEO Edgar Watson Suubi and Deputy CEO Humphrey Mandu, joined StarTimes Uganda Premier League CEO Bernard Bainamani and other UPL club chairmen and CEOs at the workshop. FIFA’s delegation, led by Solomon Mudege, Head of FIFA Development Programmes in Africa, highlighted the programme’s potential to foster sustainable growth in African club football.
“This initiative is central to FIFA’s commitment to strengthening club and league structures for long-term development,” Mudege said. FIFA also plans to invite clubs with exceptional strategic plans to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the USA for further development opportunities.
The first day of the workshop concentrated on strategic planning and governance. Participants were trained on developing strategic plans, setting up club organizational structures, and promoting transparent governance.
Day two focused on financial management, brand building, and marketing strategies, equipping clubs with the tools needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.
This programme is part of FIFA’s broader efforts to professionalize club football across the continent, having been rolled out in 11 African countries.
As the Ugandan clubs complete this training, they are set to take significant steps towards achieving professional standards that could elevate their performance and fan engagement in the years to come.
