Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala has urged former footballers to take an active role in football administration at all levels across the country.
Katumba, who is the patron of the Former Footballers Initiative (FFI), made the call on Friday while presiding over the graduation ceremony of FFI members who completed the Football Administration and Management Course (FAMACO) at Hotel Africana.
FAMACO is a capacity-building programme developed by FUFA to professionalise football governance and business management in Uganda.
“I want to congratulate all those who completed the FAMACO course, especially at such a late age,” Katumba said.
“Try to involve yourselves in football administration at whatever level you can, including grassroots and village football, because you played the game and are in a better position to understand the hardships players go through than those who join football merely as a source of income without a genuine passion for the game.”
He added that football should be managed by people who understand and love the sport.
“Allow football to be in the hands of those who understand the game and are passionate about it. Some administrators who never played the game don’t have the heart for players. They simply use them as income-generating tools and, once the players are no longer useful, they discard them and move on.”
Katumba encouraged the graduates to pursue FAMACO II qualifications so they can compete for higher leadership positions within football. He also pledged Shs5 million to the FFI SACCO.
More than 60 FFI members graduated, including Isa Ssekatawa, John Baptist Ntensibe, Vincent Ssemanobe, Hussein Yunus Matovu, Christopher Ddungu Ssekaayi, Idd Batambuze and Resty Nantumbwe.
FFI brings together former footballers, fans, administrators and well-wishers from across Uganda’s football regions.
Katumba also emphasized that the organisation should complement, rather than compete with, FUFA.
“This body is not here to fight the federation; it is here to create unity,” he said.
“If former players are not supported to improve their lives after retirement, young players will lose hope and begin to think football has no value. When they see former players being cared for, they will know there is life after football.”
The five-day course was facilitated by FUFA Education Officer Jackson Nyima and Deo Mutabaazi.
Looking ahead to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Uganda will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania, Katumba called on the AFCON Local Organising Committee to involve former footballers in the tournament’s preparations.
He also praised the role of FFI in preserving football heritage.
“These gatherings help recreate memories,” Katumba said, urging members to remain united and committed to the organisation.
Aggrey David Kibenge, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, attended the function and pledged the Ministry’s support towards the Initiative’s cause.
He urged the former footballers not to allow their physical limitations to define their abilities, encouraging them to remain active through regular exercise despite financial challenges. Kibenge also advised them to stay united as a way of overcoming individual struggles.
The course was facilitated by FUFA, represented by National Teams Manager Patrick Ntege, who pledged the federation’s continued support to the Initiative.
Uganda Prisons Service was also represented at the function, while Minister of State for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang was unable to attend but pledged to organise a separate graduation ceremony for the group.
Former Footballers Initiative – The Journey:
Founded in 2015, the Former Footballers Initiative has undertaken several welfare and community projects. The organisation initially raised funds to build houses for the late Obadiah “Musanvu Wegwanga” Ssemakula in Katonga and Francis Kulabigwo in Masindi before formally establishing itself as an umbrella body.
FFI has also provided medical assistance to former players, including the late Jimmy Muguwa and Baker Kasigwa.
In 2023, the body organised a football gala at Old Kampala that attracted more than 1,800 former players in an emotional reunion. Among those who attended was Ibrahim Buwembo Mukalazi, who passed away two days later, while former goalkeeper Fred Kajoba also attended before his passing.
Last year, FFI organised a medical camp in Mengo in partnership with the Ministry of Health, First Pharmacy and Mavid Pharmacy, providing healthcare services to about 2,000 former players and community members.
The organisation also held a memorial mass for deceased footballers, attended by families of several former players, including relatives of the late Majid Musisi. The service was led by Archbishop Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, while the First Lady, Janet Museveni, was represented by Minsa Kabanda, who presented a Shs20 million contribution to the FFI SACCO.
FFI also participated in a football gala in Kenya last year to mark the International Day of Older Persons.
Former Footballers Initiative
•Patron – Gen Katumba Wamala
•Chairman – Hajji Isaac Mubarak Ngobya
•Vice Chairman – John Baptist Ntensibe
•General Secretary – John Kennedy Lubogo Mutatwala
•Vice General Secretary – Vincent Kayonga Luganda
•Treasurer – Charles Ogwang
•Vice Treasurer – Edward Nsubuga
•Publicity Secretary – Saul Kizito
•Legal Advisor – Magellan Kazibwe
•Women Affairs – Diana Namugenyi
•National Cordinator – Walusimbi ‘Mufumbe’ Wooto
•Vice National Cordinator – Charles Kabugo Katunta
Gallery:
@ Mugabi Martin, congratulations members of the Former footballers Initiative on attaining, my quest is on recording your views about your favorite World Cup