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Media Report | UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin Visit To Uganda

Updated: May 3, 2023

The Aliguma Foundation made history and it was witnessed by all. On a cold and chilly Wednesday morning on March 15, Aleksander Čeferin, who was in company with other Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) delegates, the State Minister of Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang and National Council of Sports (NCS) chairman Ambrose Tashobya visited the Kireka-Banda B1 Zone, where the local women welcomed the entire entourage with ululations, songs and dances that amazed Čeferin.


Historic Act: UEFA president Čeferin officially kicks off the Slum Schools Soccer Gala held to commemorate his first-ever visit to Uganda at Acholi Quarters Playground on March 15. (Photo/John Batanudde - AF Media)


While in the slum settlement area codenamed Acholi Quarters, Čeferin got to witness the entrepreneurial side of the women in the slums supported by the Aliguma Foundation under the Tusimbudde Women’s Group who exhibited different items they make themselves like counter books, bags, purses, necklaces, bangles, peanut butter, liquid soap, paper bags, hats, and baskets, among others. They even gave Čeferin a hat made out of ‘Kikoyi’ as a token of appreciation for visiting them.


Many memories

It was an emotional sight for the UEFA envoy and dignitaries in attendance as the women performed a drama-play highlighting the struggles they go through on a daily basis to look after their families despite the presence of their husbands.


The play was in Luganda, though, which Čeferin definitely doesn’t understand but, nevertheless, the animations of the actors and expressions on the newly re-elected UEFA president’s face showed that he enjoyed and picked a thing or two from the drama.


When Čeferin arrived at the thinly-grassed, wet and somewhat slippery Acholi Quarters Playground –thanks to the overnight rains, he first greeted the teams of young football players from different schools from the slum settlement areas of Kireka, Banda, Kinawataka, Naguru and Kamwokya.


He showed his soft side, love for the children and courteousness by sharing pep talk, chitchats and words of wisdom with the few lucky ones and captains of the assembled teams.


Čeferin then exhibited his footballing skills as he juggled and passed the ball with Ogwang before he blasted it into the sky as a sign of kicking off the Slums Schools Soccer Gala that was held in the commemoration of his historic visit to the Pearl of Africa.


The two-month long build up to the memorable visit got the Aliguma Foundation officials working in overdrive to ensure everything was in place for European soccer’s top honcho first-ever Tour to the Pearl of Africa. Below is how our official website kept tabs with the preparations.


The local and international media, including the leading daily newspapers and online websites, also did their bit by capturing the preparations. Below are the links from the foundation’s media partners.


The slums of Acholi Quarters are not new to producing great talents be it in the world of enterprise or sports. Already lots of locally manufactured products are being made in the area, and have got National Bureau of Standards (NBS) approval.


These have helped decrease the burden on mothers as they’re able to get some income from them. In the sporting world, one of the favourite sons of the soil in Sadat Anaku is on the payroll of Scottish Premier League (SPL) outfit Dundee United as a forward. The 22-year-old also played locally for one of the leading clubs in Uganda – Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) FC and is part of Uganda Cranes summit.


Firsthand Experience: UEFA General Secretary Urs Kluser serves food during lunch at the slum settlement area. (Photo/AF Media)


UEFA president Čeferin saw more of these talents, firsthand, at the Acholi Quarters Playground and earlier during his no less than five kilometer trek around Aliguma Foundation’s projects in Acholi Quarters.


Below are links how our official website and UEFA’s covered and recapped the short, sweet but emotional visit to Uganda.


As has become the norm, the top national news-making enterprises turned up in droves to cover the Aliguma Foundation’s biggest events since inception in 2017. International media including Digital Satellite Television (DStv)’s SuperSport, Reuters, AFP and Germany’s ZDF supported the foundation with priceless coverage.


THE WEBSITES – MEDIA HOUSES


Smiles Aplenty:UEFA boss Čeferin shares a light moment with the foundation’s CEO Rita Aliguma (2nd L) and National Council of Sports Chairman Ambrose Tashobya (R) alongside some beneficiaries of the Ndi Mwana - The Cry of A Girl Child campaign. (Photo/AF Media)


RADIOS & TELEVISIONS COVERAGE:

Televisions including NTV, NBS, UBC TV, Baba TV and Channel 44 gave prominence to the visit as well as radios nationwide.


SELECTED SOCIAL MEDIA

THE POST EVENT COVERAGE


Power Of Football: Primary school going pupils vie for the ball in one of the matches at the gala held to commemorate the visit.(Photo/AF Media)


At least 20 primary schools took part in the memorable Slums Soccer Gala that started a couple days earlier during which the present UEFA General Secretary Urs Kluser had taken it upon himself to walk through the slums, see some of the projects and serve at least 500 children a priceless meal prepared by the Aliguma Foundation at Asaya Primary School.


Combo: A slideshow of the media report. (Credit: AF Media)


The icing on the cake was provided by a senior men’s soccer match between the Aliguma Foundation Banda Slums Soccer Tournament champions NBA Shooting Stars and Acholi Quarters-based Tigers FC – a game that attracted a full gallery including more youth that had finished their daily chores and the community elders.



Media Report - Uefa Visit March 2023
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For more information please contact us at;

THE ALIGUMA FOUNDATION

P.O. Box 26249, Kampala – UGANDA

Cell: +256 774 235 155

E-mail: aligumafoundation@yahoo.com, info@thealigumafoundation.org

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