FIFA RANKING: 79

GOVERNING BODY:-

Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA)

HOME STADIUM:-

Mandela National Stadium, Kampala

CAPTAIN:-

Denis Onyango

COACH:-

Johnny McKinstry

MOST CAPPED PLAYER:-

Godfrey Walusimbi (105 caps)

TOP SCORER:-

Emmanuel Okwi (26 goals)

STAR PLAYERS:-

Denis Onyango, Nicholas Wadada,  Joseph Ochaya, Timothy Awany, Khalid Aucho, Allan Kyambadde, Emmanuel Okwi, Farouk Miya

NICKNAME:-

The Cranes

RIVALS:-

Kenya

Tanzania

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS (AFCON):-

Appearances: 7

Best Result: Runners-up (1978)

AFRICAN NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP:-

Appearances: 4

Best Result: Group stage (2011, 2014, 2016, 2018)

The Uganda national football team is the national team of Uganda that represents the nation in international football competitions. The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) is in charge of operating the football systems in the country and for the country.

Uganda is a part of CECAFA alongside their biggest rivals – Kenya and Tanzania.

FUFA was founded in 1924 and it became a FIFA affiliate in 1960. FUFA is not only in charge of the national football teams but also runs the first and second tiers of Uganda’s domestic football.

The third tier is organised by regional football associations in the country and the fourth tier administration is done by several district football associations.

FUFA also organizes the oldest football knockout competition – the Ugandan Cup since 1971.

Uganda has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup but history suggests that on any given day, they can prove to be a handful for even the strongest opposition.

The Cranes have done well in recent times. They made the Round of 16 in the 2019 AFCON and qualified for the 2020 African Nations Championship as well. Unfortunately for them, COVID-19 disrupted the event.

Uganda is arguably the strongest team in the CECAFA. They have 14 titles and have finished runners-up on 4 occasions with their last win coming in 2015.

FOOTBALL IN UGANDA

Football is the national sport of Uganda. The locals adore the sport.

There are 4 tiers of football in Uganda with the first 2 divisions being the biggest. The first division is the Uganda Super League. It features the 16 best clubs across the country. The teams that finish 15th and 16th are relegated to the FUFA Big League.

The 2nd division is known as the Uganda Big League. The top two teams are promoted to the Super League in the next season whereas the bottom teams move down to the 3rd division.

The 3rd division is where the Regional Leagues are played. This is not administered by FUFA but by the regional organisations. Teams that get relegated here move down to the fourth tier.

The 4th division is where the District Leagues are. Here, the multiple football district associations in Uganda come together and govern the running of the leagues.

Sports Club Villa is the most successful club in Uganda. They play in Uganda’s 50,000 capacity national stadium in Wakiso District, Kampala. They have the most titles with 16 however, they won their last title in 2004. Since then, there have been other teams from Kampala that have performed well and won the Premier League title.

Kampala Capital City Authority Football Club (KCCA FC) and Vipers SC have become the two dominant forces in the league with either side winning the Premier League since 2012-13.

BETTING IN UGANDA

IS ONLINE GAMBLING LEGAL IN UGANDA?

Yes, online gambling is legal in Uganda for anyone aged 25 and over but there are not too many local online sports betting platforms available. Most are still brick and mortar stores proving sports betting facilities.

The National Lotteries Act of 1967 and the Gaming and Pool Betting Act of 1968 were instrumental in laying down the framework that exists in the nation to this day.

IS IT SAFE TO BET ONLINE IN UGANDA?

There are around 40 licensed online betting sites available in Uganda for sports betting. As long as users register with one of these platforms, their money is safe and secure.

HOW DO DEPOSITS AND WITHDRAWALS WORK IN UGANDA FOR ONLINE BETTING?

Credit cards (Visa and MasterCard in particular) are widely accepted in Uganda for online betting.

Bank transfers are common as well from local banks like Stanbic and Barclays of Uganda.

Mobile money transfer services are an option at many locations, both online and brick-and-mortar. These include Airtel Money, MTN Mobile Money, Orange and UTL.

For local sports betting operators that have both an online and offline presence, Ugandans can use the “voucher” system.

Those who do not possess a major credit card can download an e-wallet like Neteller or Skrill as they are widely accepted for both deposits and withdrawals. Prepaid debit cards like EntroPay are common in Uganda too.

IS MOBILE BETTING AVAILABLE IN UGANDA?

Yes. All Ugandan online platforms have a mobile betting option available. It is the fastest-growing sector in the country’s betting market.

WHICH ARE THE POPULAR SPORTS FOR BETTING IN UGANDA?

Football (soccer) is king in Uganda much like every other African country. Ugandans love not only the major European leagues but also their very own domestic leagues including their very own league. E-sports is also on the rise in the country.

ARE WINNINGS FROM BETTING TAXABLE?

Yes, players pay taxes on their winnings in the form of withholding at the time they receive their amount. For sports betting, the withholding rate is around 15%. Do check the local legislation from time to time to stay abreast with any changes in the rate or for any exemptions.

IS THE SPORTS BETTING MARKET FAIRLY REGULATED IN UGANDA?

Yes, under the current law, the National Lotteries Board regulates the sports betting market so it is safe and secure for bettors.