Members of Uganda’s parliament will donate a percentage of their January salary to help the Cranes at the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
The speaker of parliament, Rebecca Kadaga has directed the Clerk of Parliament to deduct a sum of UShs 500, 000 from the emoluments of each Member of Parliament as a contribution to support the national football team.
“We agreed that we will contribute about Shs 500,000 each and I will be going to Gabon with the cheque,” said Speaker Kadaga.
The total amount to be collected from parliament will be Sh215m.
Uganda’s government has given $540,716 – well short of the $2m the Federation of Uganda Football Associations wanted.
“It is good news that the parliament of Uganda will support the national team. It is a good gesture,” Fufa’s chief executive officer Edgar Watson said.
For a nation that has not participated at the Afcon since a runners-up effort in 1978, qualification for the tournament proper must represent the REAL success. The team is a work in progress, hence the experience of rubbing shoulders amongst the big boys will be worth the while after three group games.
The legislators also appreciated the Cranes goal keeper, Denis Onyango for being the best African Footballer of the year and the 10th best goal keeper in the world.
