The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has engaged 48 secondary schools as plans gather momentum for the implementation of the Schools of Excellence Programme, an initiative aimed at strengthening football development through Uganda’s education system.

The programme is part of FUFA’s broader strategy to identify and nurture young football talent while ensuring players continue their academic education.

According to FUFA President Moses Magogo, schools remain the backbone of football development in Uganda.

“Schools are the breeding grounds for football talent. With the Schools of Excellence programme, we are nurturing the next generation of Ugandan football stars,” Magogo said.

Schools Key to Uganda’s Football Structure

Football development in Uganda is largely supported by school-based programmes, with thousands of students receiving education through football bursaries.

FUFA First Vice President Justus Mugisha revealed that about 72,000 students across the country are currently playing football on bursaries, highlighting the critical role educational institutions play in nurturing talent.

“In Uganda, football thrives mainly in schools since most academies are school-based. About 72,000 students are playing football on bursaries,” Mugisha said.

He added that although schools have maintained a strong working relationship with FUFA over the years, many institutions have lacked technical guidance in managing their football programmes.

“We would often bring in untrained coaches and do things our own way with school teams. This partnership will help us improve,” Mugisha noted.

12 Schools to Be Selected

From the 48 schools that have shown interest, FUFA will eventually select 12 institutions to serve as official Schools of Excellence across the country.

The selection will be based on FUFA’s regional administrative structure, with:

- 8 schools for boys’ football, representing each of the eight FUFA regions

- 4 schools dedicated to girls’ football

The selected schools will serve as regional hubs for talent identification, player training, and football development.

Boosting Elite Talent Development

The Schools of Excellence Programme is designed to nurture elite football talent while supporting academic progress for young players.

Through the initiative, FUFA aims to introduce structured training programmes aligned with the federation’s technical development framework.

Selected schools are expected to work closely with FUFA technical experts, ensuring that young players receive professional coaching and development opportunities while continuing their education.

The initiative is expected to strengthen the football development pathway in Uganda and help produce the next generation of stars for both domestic and international competitions.