The President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations, Moses Magogo, has paid tribute to Gianni Infantino as he marks ten years at the helm of Fifa, describing the period as transformative for global football and particularly beneficial to Uganda.
In a congratulatory message, Magogo emphasized that the milestone represents not only a personal achievement for Infantino but also a landmark for Fifa and its member associations worldwide.
“On the occasion of celebrating 10 years of President Gianni Infantino, who came and turned around the wheel, I take this opportunity to congratulate him, but most importantly to congratulate FIFA as beneficiaries of the different programmes,” he said.
Magogo highlighted tangible progress under Fifa’s development initiatives, especially the FIFA Forward programme, which has enabled Fufa to expand infrastructure and enhance administrative capacity.
“We have been able to extend the original building of Fufa House by another floor and also acquire additional office space to accommodate more staff. We have also started the Fufa Stadium Kadiba, which is now hosting a number of international matches for junior and women’s teams,” he noted.
He credited Fifa’s Talent Development Scheme with strengthening grassroots systems in Uganda, identifying young players, and equipping coaches with modern training skills.
“We have benefited from the Talent Development Scheme in talent identification and training of coaches. Women’s football has also grown, with support to the Fufa Women Super League, provision of medical equipment to all 12 clubs, as well as introduction of the game in districts such as Yumbe and Maracha,” he added.
Magogo further highlighted the expansion of school football programmes, noting that 362 institutions across Uganda are now engaged in structured competitions and development pathways.
On the international stage, he praised Uganda’s progress in youth competitions, citing the national team’s qualification for the Fifa Under-17 World Cup and historic advancement to the Round of 16, including a notable victory over France.
“We have been able to qualify for a tournament we had never reached before and progressed to the Round of 16, beating strong teams such as France. This exposure is already creating opportunities for our young players in Europe,” he said.
He welcomed Fifa’s decision to stage the Under-17 World Cup annually, describing it as a progressive move that will broaden participation and accelerate global football growth.
“Making it an annual competition is one of the best decisions that will transform football globally,” he noted.
Magogo concluded by reaffirming Fufa’s appreciation for Fifa’s continued support and expressing optimism for the future of football in Uganda under Infantino’s leadership.
“For us, Fifa and President Gianni Infantino, we can only say thank you so much, and we believe that football is going to be truly global,” he said.