The Uganda national football team did not hold its scheduled training session today. This follows internal team discussions over winning bonuses.
According to sources, the talks centered on financial matters between the players and the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA).
It is reported that players held discussions with FUFA President Moses Magogo regarding a proposed qualification bonus of €6,000 per player, to be paid after the team clears the first stage of the AFCON 2025
Several senior members of the squad voiced serious concerns about this offer. They stated that the amount was not acceptable. They also highlighted that the team has not received promised bonuses for over a year, despite previous assurances.
Today, these senior players were able to unite others behind their position. A group of approximately seven players then approached head coach Paul Put. They informed him they would not be participating in the day’s training session.
The coach, Paul Put, acknowledged their decision and accepted the situation. He subsequently called off the planned training.
There has been no official statement yet from FUFA regarding the disrupted session or the underlying issues raised by the players.
Uganda’s return to AFCON has generated significant optimism at home, especially after the team’s improved performances during the qualifiers. The Uganda Cranes last appeared at AFCON in 2019, where they reached the Round of 16 before exiting the tournament.
The current squad, featuring a blend of youth, experience, and foreign based stars, is looking to surpass that achievement.
The Cranes will open their AFCON 2025 campaign on December 23 against Tunisia, one of the North African powerhouses with a long history of strong performances in the competition.