Uganda: Cranes Players Receive Nile Basin Cash

Andrew Mwanguhya

24 June 2011

Uncertainty over Uganda Cranes’ Shs297m ($120, 000) prize money won at the January Nile Basin tournament in Cairo is finally over. Fufa vice president in charge of finance Anthony Kimuli told Daily Monitor yesterday they have received the cash that has raised debate from sports commentators since February.

More doubts had been raised after neighbours Sudan and Tanzania, then Kenya, got their share some days back. DR Congo and Burundi are also reported to have been cleared.

“We got it and even paid players yesterday (Wednesday),” said Kimuli, “We gave the players and coaching staff $32, 000 (Shs79m).

“It (money) came at a timely moment when we have to facilitate the under-23 team (away in Kenya in the first leg of the All Africa Games qualifiers on Sunday). The balance will also help in the return leg and our Afcon match in Angola.”

Fufa Shs218m richer

URA midfielder Manko Kaweesa confirmed receiving his, although, some are yet to get theirs for varying reasons. “I got mine,” said Kaweesa, “Shs2.5m.”

Twenty-two players participated in Egypt, meaning they shared Shs55m, leaving Shs24m for the technical bench. That would leave Fufa with Shs218m.

After players and coaching staff being paid, the Nile Basin cash (Shs218m) brings Fufa coffers to Shs444m when added to the profit from Uganda Cranes’ home 2012 Nations Cup qualifier with Guinea Bissau on June 4. But the total could be less with the under-23 team’s expenditure.

Fufa raked in Shs226m in profit after spending Shs415m from Shs642m gross revenue on the Bissau game. They had apparently spent Shs235m for the away match in Bissau. Uganda were 3-1 losing finalists to Egypt, who pocketed $150, 000 (Shs372m) in the Nile Basin event.

The money was to be wired to the five visiting federations’ accounts after the tourney but chaos erupted in Egypt the following month as citizens demanded reforms.

Nile Basin cash prizes

Egypt $150, 000 (Shs372m)

Uganda $120, 000 (Shs297m)

DR Congo $100, 000 (Shs248m)

Last three – @$50, 000 (@Shs124m))

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