The Local Organizing Committee of CHAN 2024 in Uganda has moved to clarify the issue of accommodation for the Uganda Cranes amidst growing concerns from members of the public.
About two days ago,a public debate ensued on social media, largely on X (formerly Twitter) on the accommodation of the National football team of Uganda. The debate followed a viral Tik Tok video that was captured by an onlooker as the team players took a walk on a dusty road which prompted netizens to ask where the team is exactly residing during the CHAN Tournament.
The hotel where the team stays is located in Kisaasi,Ddungu Zone in Kawempe Division and is reportedly owned by FUFA President Moses Magogo and his wife Hon. Anita Among. The public questioned how the bidding process was done for it to be allocated to host the National Team during CHAN. There were also concerns on why visiting teams are accommodated in big hotels in the City Center yet Uganda Cranes is camped at a Hotel some members of the public think does not meet the standards.
In response to the matter, the LOC has Clarified that the government of Uganda as one of the host nations for the CHAN-2024 tournament is responsible for meeting the Hotel accommodation expenses for the teams hosted and this is fulfilled as part of the US $13 million fee the government paid to CAF.
The Committee has noted that CAF conducts assessment,approves,and enters a contract with each respective Hotel accommodating each national football team hosted in the country.
“CAF through the host Football Federation usually gives the host national team the option to choose where to stay. The Hotel where the Uganda Cranes are accommodated for the CHAN-2024 tournament in Uganda was identified and proposed to CAF by FUFA. That process was entirely handled between FUFA and CAF,” said Dr Denis Mugimba, the Chairperson Communication and Signage Sub-committee.
He added that: “Like it shall be with the accommodation expenses for the other four national teams in Group C here in Uganda, CAF shall be the one to pick the bill for accommodation of the Uganda Cranes during CHAN-2024 using part of the US$13 million the Government of Uganda paid to CAF.”
“Irrespective of where the choice of accommodation for the respective national teams, the Government of the Republic of Uganda guarantees and meets the expenses associated with services associated with the team’s security, transport, and the like while the team is still participating in the tournament or until the time of departure for foreign teams,” Mugimba emphasized.
The LOC has insisted that they do not give preferential treatment to the visiting teams or the host nation’s team and neither does CAF.
It should be noted that all National Football Teams have been camping at FUFA Hotel formerly Paradise Hotel, Kisaasi for the last four years whenever they are preparing for different tournaments happening in and outside Uganda.
