Early beginnings and growth of the women’s game
FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim has reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to women’s football, highlighting commercial growth, infrastructure development and deliberate investment in the girl child during the launch of the FUFA Women Super League Commercial Strategy held at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.
Reflecting on the origins of women’s football in Uganda, Hon. Magogo noted that the journey began at a time when girls had limited opportunities and were forced to play alongside boys due to the absence of organised teams.
‘Women’s football has had a very long journey here in this country. At a time when there were few girls who wanted to play football, the only option they had was to play with the boys. Eventually, teams were formed, competitions followed and stars were born. That is how we arrived where we are today,’ he said.
FIFA confidence and strategic development
Hon. Magogo commended individuals and institutions that have contributed to the growth of the women’s game and thanked FIFA for selecting Uganda, alongside Romania, as the only two countries globally to pilot the women’s football commercialisation project.
‘This shows the confidence FIFA has in what we have done here. We want to thank FIFA and convey our appreciation to President Gianni Infantino on behalf of the football people of Uganda,’ he noted.
He explained that FUFA’s strategic approach, supported by government backing, improved commercial capacity and increased FIFA resources, has enabled the Federation to strengthen programmes and professionalise competitions.
‘Sometimes progress is slow, but that is the right way. Football needs money at all levels, and over time we have been able to build our commercial skills, receive government support and benefit from increased FIFA funding,’ Hon. Magogo said.
Legal framework, infrastructure and commercialisation
The FUFA President stressed the importance of legal protection and infrastructure in commercialising football, noting that rights protection and facilities are fundamental to attracting investment.
‘You cannot commercialise when your rights are not protected by law, and you cannot package football without infrastructure. Through engagement with stakeholders and government, we now have pieces of infrastructure that make commercialisation possible,’ he added.
He further outlined FUFA’s strategy of expanding grassroots reach, professionalising elite competitions and pursuing international excellence as key pillars of sustainable growth.
Cultural shift and opportunities for the girl child
Hon. Magogo highlighted a significant cultural shift in Uganda, where communities now broadly accept that girls can play football, access education through the sport and pursue professional careers.
‘Today, parents and relatives have accepted that a girl child can play football, get education and even earn a living. That, for me, is a big success,’ he said.
He emphasised that the next phase focuses on establishing properly structured clubs capable of providing facilities, welfare, motivation and technical instruction, while noting that football remains a costly investment.
‘For these girls to develop properly, we need professional clubs, and for that to happen, we need resources. Football does not come cheap,’ he stated.
Governance reforms and intentional support for women’s football
Reaffirming FUFA’s deliberate commitment to women’s football, Hon. Magogo cited governance reforms that have increased female representation across the General Assembly, Executive Committee and Secretariat, alongside the implementation of the Women in Football programme.
‘I have been clear at continental level that we must support women’s football. As a federation, we are intentional about this, and we have deliberately increased women’s participation in our structures,’ he said.
Call to stakeholders
Hon. Magogo concluded by urging stakeholders, institutions and individuals to continue supporting the girl child and investing in women’s football.
‘This is my appeal to all of you, to support the girl child in every way possible, because you are giving another Ugandan the opportunity to benefit from their God-given talent,’ he concluded.
