Uganda/Gabon: Legislators Demand Govt to Fund Cranes in Gabon

By Isaac Imaka

Kampala — Members of Parliament have asked government to take full financial responsibility of the Uganda Cranes' Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Gabon.

While moving a motion asking Parliament to pay glowing tribute to the Uganda Crane for qualifying for the continental tournament for the first time in 38 years, Ajuri county MP, Hamson Obua, and Makindye West MP, Allan Ssewanyana said the country risks continental shame if government doesn't pick the tab for the national team.

The legislators argued that it is traditionally the role of governments to take care of the financial needs of their national teams and not football federations, as it is the case for Uganda.

"We may have qualified and are right to celebrate but if we do not fund the team, we may end up sending people who may act as tourists.

"Uganda is one of the few countries where issues of national sporting teams are funded by their respective federations. In many countries national teams are supposed to be 100 per cent funded by government or through public private partnerships," he said.

According to information before parliament, the Uganda Cranes needs Shs5b to allow it fully prepare and participate in the tournament due to take place early next year.

Mr Ssewanyana implored the Parliament to move beyond rhetoric and address the funding issues that have been bogging the national team down and warned that if nothing is done, "don't be surprised if the team gets scores 20, zero when they go to Gabon as they are."

"We must address the challenges that the team faces which may not allow us to qualify again. Uganda is the only country with a manger who is not only poorly paid but even the little pay is not forthcoming. It is only promised to him," he said.

Currently, Cranes coach and manager, Micho Milutin Sredojević earns in the range of $10,000 and he has not been paid for several months.

In a bid to "overhaul" the sports sector and make it mandatory for government to start funding all teams, the legislators also want to give a six-month ultimatum for government to table a bill amending what they described as an obsolete, archaic and outdated" 1964 National Council of Sports Act or else it will be tabled by a private member.

"We need a new law that will take care of the millennial changes in the sports sector. In Kenya, it's the command of the law for government to take full responsibility of funding national teams," Mr Obua said.

Currently, government extends help to national teams as a show of courtesy, and most times, it is documented with a photo opportunity with the president handing over the money to the team at State House.

The Cranes beat Comoros on September 4 to qualify to play at the continental stage. While seconding the motion, Mr Ssewanyana noted that irrespective of the performing by the Cranes players, government did not deliver on its promise of giving each player $10000, a thing he said is "shaming and demoralising".

"We need to seriously address issues affecting the national team because it is the only team that brings us together irrespective of our politics," he said adding that the players should be added on the national salary project promised by the president to the athletes who win gold.

"After Stephen Kiprotich won gold at the Olympics, President Museveni promised that all athletes who win gold should be put on the national salary but we hear it is not done. Let the same promise be given to the cranes player because what they did in Namboole is equivalent to wining Gold," he said.