Ugandan football made continental headlines as URA FC and the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) were honoured by FIFA for excellence in strategic planning and governance. The recognition came with the prestigious Best Strategic Planning Award, presented on the sidelines of the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco, where Senegal lifted the trophy in Rabat.
The award, collected on behalf of URA FC by Chairman Dr. Micah Gaalya and CEO Allan Munaaba, alongside FUFA President Hon. Moses Magogo, was a culmination of the club’s commitment to professionalisation and long-term institutional development. FIFA Director of Member Associations in Africa, Gelson Fernandes, applauded the achievement, highlighting URA FC’s “clarity, ambition, and practical approach” as a benchmark for African clubs.
URA FC’s recognition stems from a rigorous evaluation process under FIFA’s 2024 Club Professionalisation Programme, which brought together 210 top clubs across Africa, including continental giants like Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns, Wydad Casablanca, and Young Africans. Each club submitted a detailed strategic plan, which was assessed by a panel of FIFA-appointed experts in Switzerland. URA FC emerged as the top-ranked club, receiving full marks from all evaluators—an emphatic endorsement of both the club’s structures and FUFA’s governance framework.
“This award is a milestone for Ugandan football,” said Dr. Gaalya. “It shows that we are not only building competitive teams but sustainable institutions that can stand on the continental stage.” CEO Allan Munaaba added: “Being ranked best among 210 clubs across Africa reflects the strength of FUFA’s Club Pro Agenda and our commitment to professional standards.”
Beyond the ceremony, URA FC and FUFA executives gained hands-on exposure to world-class matchday operations, modern football technologies, and infrastructure during AFCON, and visited FIFA’s Africa Regional office in Morocco to learn from leading football development officials.
FIFA and FUFA now plan to leverage URA FC’s success by organising a high-level workshop on club governance and strategic planning, aimed at sharing best practices with Ugandan and African football stakeholders.
This historic recognition not only elevates URA FC on the continental stage but also validates FUFA’s vision for a professionalised, modern football ecosystem. As Fernandes noted, the achievement demonstrates what is possible when clubs operate within strong national association structures—proof that Ugandan football is ready to compete both on and off the pitch with Africa’s elite.
That’s fantastic news! It’s really great to see Ugandan football getting this kind of recognition on the global stage.