Parliament demands better publicity for African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament
Legislators raised the concerns during debate on a statement by the Minister of State for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang on Wednesday, 30 July 2025.
Members of Parliament praised the infrastructural progress but voiced frustration over the delayed and underwhelming promotion of the tournament.
Speaker Anita Among reminded the House that the successful hosting of CHAN would determine Uganda's readiness to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
'How we host CHAN will determine how ready we will be to host AFCON,' she said commending the government for its investment in infrastructure.
AUDIO Kayemba
Hon. Geofrey Kayemba (Bukomansimbi South) questioned the timing and sufficiency of publicity efforts noting that only days remain before Uganda's first match.
'When was the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) given the Shs1 billion? This would have taken like three months back to do activations... the public needs to own it and to feel it,' he said adding that failure to invest in marketing was akin to hiding, 'a beautiful thing... deep down our beds'.
Minister Ogwang clarified that although publicity is primarily a CAF responsibility, the government allocated Shs1 billion to FUFA to supplement these efforts given the short preparation window.
'This is a football event… we found it prudent that we use FUFA to help us as a government… to carry out this civic duty and popularise the event across the country,' he said adding that the campaign had begun in various towns with radio activations and advertisements.
AUDIO Ogwang
Hon. Asuman Basalirwa (Bugiri Municipality) warned that poor publicity could lead to empty stadiums.
'If we don't publicise these games, the stadium will be empty. And that will not be very good for the country,' he said.
Hon. Susan Amero (Amuria District Woman Representative) used the occasion to call for balanced funding across all sports.
'We are treating football like it is the only game. I pray that in the subsequent budgeting, we should consider giving enough money to other sports,' she said.
AUDIO Amero
The Minister's statement highlighted that Uganda will host 12 matches at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole and that renovations at key training facilities including Kyambogo University, FUFA Kadiba, Mutesa II Stadium and Kampala International School Uganda (KISU) have met CAF standards.
Speaker Among also sought clarity on unaccounted funds previously allocated for sports infrastructure.
'There is the money… meant for Mbarara-Kakyeka Stadium. We want an explanation on what happened to that money. I also know that we gave money to Masaka. We also want an explanation on what happened,' she said.
Uganda is hosting Group C matches featuring Algeria, Guinea, Niger, South Africa and Uganda, as part of a joint East African PAMOJA bid with Kenya and Tanzania.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
Furthering Implementation of the Peace Agreement Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda
In support of implementation of the Peace Agreement Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda (Rwanda) signed in Washington, D.C. on June 27, 2025, the United States hosted two sets of meetings on July 30 through August 1, 2025, focused on implementation of the security aspects of the agreement and building a framework for regional economic growth opportunities, which together are critical to achieving long-term stability and durable peace in the Great Lakes region. This bilateral initiative is designed to unlock the immense economic potential of the Great Lakes region made possible only through the implementation of the Peace Agreement. On August 1, representatives from the DRC and Rwanda, facilitated by the United States, initialed the text of the Regional Economic Integration Framework Tenets, a requirement outlined in the Peace Agreement. Through joint coordination in areas including energy, infrastructure, mining, national park management and tourism, and public health, the DRC and Rwanda will drive economic progress and improve the lives of people and the communities where they live across the Great Lakes region. Also on July 31, DRC and Rwandan delegations held the first meeting of the Joint Oversight Committee to support implementation of the Peace Agreement Between the DRC and Rwanda, observed by the United States, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union facilitator) and the African Union Commission. The Committee serves as a platform for implementing the Peace Agreement and resolving disputes. At its first meeting, participants appointed Chairpersons to the Commission, agreed to governing terms, and prepared for the launch of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism. This week's meetings represent a significant step forward in implementing the Peace Agreement, with the DRC and Rwanda taking meaningful actions to advance security and economic cooperation. The United States reaffirms its commitment to supporting these efforts and, as the parties make progress implementing the Peace Agreement, looks forward to hosting the Summit of the Heads of State in Washington, D.C., to drive peace, stability, and economic prosperity. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of State, United States of America.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
South Africa: Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Chairperson Concerned by Closure of Emfuleni Local Municipality Client Service Centre
The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Public Administration (Traditional Affairs, Human Settlements and Water&Sanitation), Mr Mxolisi Kaunda, is concerned by reports of the closure of the Emfuleni Local Municipality client service centre due to unpaid rent. 'The closure of the client service centre negatively impacts the ability of the municipality to collect rates and taxes, a key driver of municipal revenue. The inability to collect revenue will have an unintended negative impact on the ability to deliver quality services to the people,' Mr Kaunda said. The 6th Parliament select committee visited the municipality and criticised the lack of progress in resolving material risks of governance and financial control within the municipality, which exacerbate the already dire state of poor service delivery. Furthermore, the continued attachment of the municipality's bank accounts by service providers, such as Eskom and Rand Water, due to non-payment for services requires a focused and deadline-driven approach. 'While it is not sustainable that the accounts of the municipality are attached, it is also unsustainable that the municipality does not pay for services. The residents of the municipality deserve better basic services in line with the objects of municipalities as envisioned in Section 152 of the Constitution,' Mr Kaunda suggested. The Chairperson also highlighted the importance of government departments paying the municipality for services to improve cash flow management and enable the municipality to provide services. The Chairperson called on the municipality and the provincial executive to find a workable solution to ensure that the client service centre is reopened and that service providers are paid on time. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Joint Statement on the Inaugural Joint Oversight Committee Meeting for the Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda
On July 31, 2025, representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda (Rwanda), along with observers from the United States, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union facilitator), and the African Union Commission held the first meeting of the Joint Oversight Committee for the Peace Agreement Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of Rwanda that was signed in Washington, D.C. on June 27, 2025. The Joint Oversight Committee is charged with serving as a forum for implementation and dispute resolution of the peace agreement. The Committee is responsible for receiving complaints about violations of the agreement, taking appropriate measures to address violations, and amicably settling disputes. During the first meeting, the parties selected their Chairpersons for the Committee, adopted terms of reference to govern future meetings of the Committee, discussed progress on implementing the Agreement, and prepared for the first meeting of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism. The African Union, State of Qatar, and the United States participated in these discussions to ensure complementarity and alignment between implementation efforts and on-going initiatives aimed at dialogue and durable peace in the region. Both the DRC and Rwanda expressed their appreciation for the invaluable contributions and joint efforts of the African Union, United States, and Qatar as partners in advancing a peaceful resolution. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.
