A disagreement has emerged over the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) decision to charge clubs and participants Shs250,000 for a mandatory Football Safety and Security Officers (SSOs) training course scheduled for this month.
The latest criticism has come from football safety and security expert Dixon Okello, one of Uganda's three CAF-certified Football Safety and Security Instructors, who argues that the fee is inconsistent with practices adopted by football federations across the continent.
The three-day course, scheduled to begin on July 11 at FUFA Stadium, forms part of the federation's implementation of the 2026 Club Licensing Regulations, which require clubs to appoint trained and certified Safety and Security Officers.
Under the new regulations, every club in the Uganda Premier League, FUFA Women's Super League, FUFA Big League and FUFA Women Elite League must have a certified Safety and Security Officer responsible for match safety, crowd control, risk management and compliance with both FUFA and CAF standards.
In a circular dated June 19, FUFA directed participants to pay Shs250,000 before the July 3 registration deadline.
However, on Wednesday, Okello appealed to the federation to reconsider the charge, saying it creates an unnecessary burden for officials who already volunteer their time to ensure safety at football matches.
"I am writing to express my concern regarding the requirement for Football Safety and Security Officers (SSOs) to pay Shs250,000 for the upcoming training course in July," he wrote.
Okello argued that his experience facilitating CAF and federation-led safety programmes across Africa shows that host federations normally meet the costs of training.
"In my extensive experience facilitating CAF and federation-led safety programs across Africa, the host federation has consistently covered all training, accommodation and transportation costs. Participants are never required to make personal financial contributions," he said.
He added that asking either the officers or their clubs to meet the cost departs from established continental practice.
"Requiring SSOs or their clubs to pay this fee departs from this continental precedent and creates an unnecessary financial barrier for personnel who already volunteer significant time to ensure match safety."
The security specialist further noted that he has personally financed similar capacity-building programmes in the past to ensure trainees were not burdened by costs.
"As one of Uganda's three CAF-certified Football Security Instructors, I have personally funded past steward trainings, including meals, T-shirts and certificates, to align with CAF's principle of capacity building without placing financial burdens on trainees," Okello said.
He maintained that FUFA has the capacity to adopt a similar approach.
"FUFA undoubtedly has the capacity to adopt this same standard. I respectfully request that you review and withdraw the Shs250,000 fee and instead facilitate the training and transport refunds, as is standard practice across Africa."
However, in its June 19 communication to clubs, FUFA said the training is a requirement under the 2026 Club Licensing Regulations and instructed participants to pay the Shs250,000 course fee before completing their applications.
The federation also stated that applicants are expected to hold the FIFA Essentials Safeguarding Certificate before undertaking the course and provided contacts for its Football Development and Football Education departments for further guidance.
Okello said he remains available to engage the federation on the matter, raising what is likely to fuel wider debate over who should bear the cost of mandatory football safety and security training in Uganda.
