The Uganda Cranes are facing a financial crisis as they embark on their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Gabon – their first appearance at the finals in 39 years.
And State Minister for Sports, Charles Bakkabulindi contends that the approved Shs 2 billion (US$552,181) for the national football team is enough to see them through the event which runs from 14 January to 5 February.
“Shs 2 billion has now been approved for the Uganda Cranes for preparations and participation at the 2017 Total Africa Cup of Nations. The money should be wired to the Uganda FA account today,” Bakkabulindi said on Thursday.
Fufa had submitted a budget of Shs 7.6 billion before they were advised by officials from the National Council of Sports (NCS) and the Ministry of Education and Sports to reduce the budget to Shs 4.5 billion.
But Bakkabulindi said after several consultative meetings they settled for a budget of UGX2 billion which he expects to be wired into the FA account today.
“We made a budget of US$2,122,909 and after consultations and meetings with officials from the Ministry of Education and Sport and the National Council of Sports, the budget was slashed to US$1,226,855. But that money has not come as yet,” Decolas Kiiza, Fufa’s head of Finance had earlier said.
Micho’s team are in Dubai for a second training camp after the Tunisia expedition.
In UAE, they are set to play Slovakia and the reigning African champions, Cote D’Ivoire on the 8th and 11th January 2017 respectively.
The Cranes will be in Group D alongside Egypt, Ghana and Mali for the 2017 Nations Cup and will be based in Port Gentil.
