Football

Institutional vs Community Clubs, Magogo Right this time!

Published

3 months ago

March 2, 2026

Football in Uganda naturally attracts passionate and organic support. Despite this deep connection with fans, the game has been struggling for nearly two decades as match attendance continues to dwindle, especially in the Uganda Premier League and Big League. Clubs that were once household names such as SC Villa, Express FC, Mbale Heroes, Masaka LC, Iganga FC, and Lyantonde FC are now barely visible, surviving mostly on history. Even the more recent success stories like Onduparaka FC, Nyamitobora FC, and Arua Hill have fallen back into lower divisions.

This decline is not surprising. A simple look at the current top-flight league shows that the clubs that are holding fort are mainly institutional teams. These include KCCA, NEC, Police FC, UPPC FC, URA, BUL, UPDF, and Maroons. The only non-institutional club that appears to be operating steadily is Vipers SC, and SC Villa, though even for them, the question of sustainability is still open.

Although I have fundamentally disagreed with FUFA President Moses Magogo’s approach to football development, particularly his long-term undermining of the league structure, in favour of overreliance on the national team, I fully support his recent proposal to phase out institutional clubs and instead require institutions and companies to sponsor community clubs. I hope he has finally realised that the national team is a reflection of the League (which is a feeder). Those who focus on the garden will get good harvests.

My support for this idea comes from experience. As the former chairman of URA FC until 2017, I witnessed firsthand the advantages and constraints of running an institutional club. Under my leadership, URA FC won three national trophies, one regional title—the Mapenduzi Cup—and participated twice in the CAF Champions League but hardly raised any fans. I also founded Nyamityobora FC, a community club that spent over eight years in regional football before rising to the Big League and eventually earning a season in the Uganda Premier League, before it was eventually relegated just after one season. Having managed both types of clubs, I understand their differences and operational challenges.

One truth stands out. Nyamityobora, despite its limited resources, had a level of community ownership and identity that institutional clubs often lack. Yet the latter have the resources and corporate structures that community clubs are yearning for.

Institutions/companies invest in football for brand affinity, and good will acceptability. The communities need identity and pride. The two interests are complementary and can co-exist. This is the main reason why Magogo’s proposal deserves support. If nothing changes, the league may eventually be filled only with institutional clubs while traditional giants disappear entirely. Transforming the league into a commercially attractive product requires giving ownership back to communities. Football survives on numbers, and true numbers come from fan-driven clubs.

Around the world, even clubs that began as company teams eventually transitioned into community-oriented structures. Bayern Munich is one of the best-known examples. The strongest leagues in Europe, the United States, South America, and even Saudi Arabia are built around community-rooted systems despite being surrounded by large corporations. Nowhere do companies run clubs successfully without a strong fan base at the centre. Without community support, there is no sponsorship value, no strong branding, and no emotional connection. This is exactly what Ugandan football has been missing.

Consideration for other strategic interventions – such as incentives that grant companies tax credits for sports expenses and investments, waivers for sports inputs, and investments in Corporate Social Responsibility (Sports), being one of the criteria for award of public contracts, and land allocations. These should be integrated into legal National Provisions like Sports and Tax laws.

Magogo’s proposed shift is a necessary step. Supporting this reform could be the spark needed to revive Ugandan football, restore community identity, and rebuild the competitiveness and passion that once defined the game in this country.

The post Institutional vs Community Clubs, Magogo Right this time! appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Football

MultiChoice brings the FIFA World Cup heat closer to Ugandans

Published

12 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Kenny Malone

Canada, Mexico and the United States may be hundred miles far away from Uganda but the 2026 FIFA World Cup thrill and feel is evident across Uganda thanks to MultiChoice.

Through their flagship Pay TV channels Dstv and Gotv, football fans are catching live every moment of the global football showpiece. With kickoff times of the games spreading between 10PM – 4AM (Local time), for the love of the beautiful game, Sleep Can Wait.

The FIFA World Cup happens just once every four years and with the coveted tournament taking place, Everything Can Wait.

Across Kampala and beyond, MultiChoice Uganda has made efforts to ensure that everyone feels the FIFA World Cup heat.

At the Wampewo Roundabout, the boot and ball sculpture stands tall, informing the public that all the 104 World Cup games are live on Dstv.

Multichoice has also gone closer to where football is played by branding 25 Artificial Football pitches around Kampala, a constant reminder that the World Cup is happening.

Additionally, Multichoice has embraced the use of Digital-Out-Of-Home (DOOH) screens around Kampala to relay World Cup information, including live scores, results, fixtures etc.

It should be noted that DStv Uganda offers seven main subscription packages, ranging from UGX 17,000 to UGX 320,000 per month, alongside flexible “ka Weekie” 7-day plans and all those options have the FIFA World Cup action.

For the next month, indeed Sleep and Everything Can Wait

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Football

Kitara will host CAF Confederation Cup games at Hoima City Stadium – Minister Ogwang

Published

12 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Bryce Mullins

Minister of State for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang has confirmed Kitara FC will host their continental matches at the Hoima City Stadium. It should be noted that Kitara won the 2026 Uganda Cup which meant them representing the country in the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup with the preliminary round slated for September.

While speaking at the launch of the construction of the Emergency and Accident Ward at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital which is in line with Uganda co-hosting AFCON 2027, Ogwang indicated Kitara will use the stadium. The same function was graced by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Uganda, Rt Hon. Robinah Nabbanja.

“ Kitara misbehaved when they hosted a League game at the stadium and allowed in more than the required numbers, people were jumping over the fences and I closed the stadium. Now that they are going to play in CAF Confederation Cup, they are busy pleading,” he started before adding, “ the asset(stadium) is here and it will ashame the country for Kitara to play elsewhere but this time I will be directly in charge of everything.”

The last time Kitara played on the continent in 2024 , they were forced to play Al Hilal Bengazi in Libya twice (hosted their home game there) because Uganda did not have a CAF certified stadium at the time.

Ogwang further stated that only 17,000 will be allowed to access the stadium on matchday. It should be noted that Hoima City Stadium capacity is 20,000.

The Stadium currently is undergoing final bit of touches as CAF instructed so that it meets the required standards to host AFCON 2027.

The CAF inspection team is expected to return to the host Nations Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to check on the progress and readiness of the three nations.

Construction of the trainining facilities attached to Hoima City Stadium is ongoing, works on the Hoima-Kampala Highway are on while the selected hotels around Hoima and Masindi are also getting a face-lift.

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Football

From Villain to Hero: Omar Artan’s remarkable rise from World Cup heartbreak to UEFA Super Cup glory

Published

2 days ago

June 12, 2026

Kenny Malone

Somalian referee Omar Artan Abdulkadir’s journey over the past year has been nothing short of extraordinary. From the disappointment of missing out on the FIFA World Cup due to circumstances beyond his control to earning one of the most prestigious appointments in world football, Artan has transformed adversity into inspiration.

Artan was initially selected among the match officials for the FIFA World Cup to be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. However, his dream of officiating at football’s biggest stage came to an abrupt halt after he was denied entry into the United States by American border authorities.

The decision effectively ruled him out of the tournament. While some fans suggested he could have been stationed in either Canada or Mexico, such an arrangement was never realistic. FIFA’s refereeing teams operate from a centralized command-and-control center, which for the tournament was based in Miami, Florida. All training sessions, fitness assessments, technical briefings, and match appointment decisions were coordinated from that location.

Despite the setback, Artan returned home to a hero’s welcome in Somalia. Government officials, football administrators, and fans celebrated his achievements, recognizing that his exclusion from the tournament did not diminish his status as one of Africa’s elite referees.

Several prominent business figures pledged financial support, with one businessman reportedly offering him USD 100,000 the amount he would have earned during the World Cup. In another show of support, Canadian officials reportedly assured him that he would always be welcome in Canada.

UEFA Throws Artan a Lifeline

In a stunning turn of events, UEFA announced that Omar Artan will officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, scheduled for 12 August in Salzburg. The match will feature UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain against UEFA Europa League winners Aston Villa.

The appointment is being hailed as a landmark moment for African refereeing.

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin and CAF President Patrice Motsepe

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin praised the Somali official, saying:

“Omar Artan is an excellent young but already experienced referee, who has proven himself at the highest competition level of the Confederation of African Football. Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination.”

Čeferin also thanked CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe for supporting the initiative.

The appointment forms part of a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between UEFA and CAF aimed at strengthening cooperation in several areas, including referee development and exchange programmes.

CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe welcomed the decision, stating:

“Omar Artan has made Somalia and the entire people of the African continent extremely proud. His receipt of the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award 2025 and his appointment as a referee of the FIFA World Cup 2026 are a recognition of his world-class refereeing ability and the international respect that he enjoys.”

Motsepe added that Artan’s UEFA Super Cup appointment demonstrates how football can unite people across continents.

Following in the Footsteps of African Pioneers

While Artan’s appointment is historic, he joins a select group of CAF officials who have officiated in competitions outside Africa through referee exchange programmes.

The most notable example came during the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where Gambian referee Bakary Gassama represented Africa.

Bakary Gassama’s Gold Cup Assignments

Jamaica 2-0 Suriname (Group Stage) – Referee
Panama 2-3 Honduras (Group Stage) – Referee
Costa Rica 0-2 Canada (Quarterfinal) – VAR
Qatar 1-0 USA (Semifinal) – VAR

Djibril Camara’s Gold Cup Assignments

Jamaica 2-0 Suriname (Group Stage) – Assistant Referee
Panama 2-3 Honduras (Group Stage) – Assistant Referee
Qatar 1-0 USA (Semi-final) – Assistant Referee

The exchange programme has also worked in reverse.

During the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, played in Cameroon in 2022, CONCACAF officials were invited to officiate at Africa’s premier football tournament.

Non-CAF Officials at AFCON 2021

Mario Escobar (Guatemala)

Senegal 1-0 Zimbabwe (Group Stage) – Referee
Gambia 1-0 Tunisia (Group Stage) – Referee

Fernando Guerrero (Mexico)

Served as a VAR official during the tournament.

A New Chapter for African Refereeing

Omar Artan’s appointment to the UEFA Super Cup represents more than personal redemption. It is a victory for Somali football, African refereeing, and the growing collaboration between CAF and UEFA.

From the pain of missing the World Cup to earning one of Europe’s most prestigious appointments, Artan’s story is a reminder that setbacks do not define careers. Perseverance, excellence, and resilience do.

For many across Africa, Omar Artan is no longer the referee who missed the World Cup. He is the referee who came back stronger.

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