By Spy Uganda
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) is celebrating a dual milestone in the development of Ugandan football, with President Hon. Moses Magogo and CEO Edgar Watson earning appointments to FIFA committees, and the historic appointment of former Ghanaian international Mr. Laryea Kingston as full-time coach for Uganda’s youth men national teams.
Hon. Magogo has been named to the FIFA Football Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation Committee, while CEO Watson joins the FIFA Technical Development Committee, further positioning Uganda at the forefront of global football governance.
Meanwhile, in a press conference at FUFA House, Mr. Watson announced Kingston’s appointment as a significant step toward strengthening the country’s junior national teams through year-round preparation and talent development.
In his remarks, Watson acknowledged longstanding challenges affecting youth football in Uganda, noting that junior national teams have historically only assembled shortly before competitions, leaving little room for proper preparation and development.
“We have had situations where the identification of players at underage levels happens only when a tournament is around the corner,” Watson said. “This has limited exposure for young players and created gaps in consistency and development. FUFA has therefore developed a Technical Master Plan focusing on youth football to address these concerns.”
As part of this strategy, FUFA has established a national scouting platform to identify and track talent across the country, including in upcountry regions often overlooked. The initiative is aimed at ensuring continuous preparation and equitable talent discovery for national youth teams.
Kingston, a former Ghana international, will oversee Uganda’s under-15, under-17, and under-20 national teams on a full-time basis. Watson highlighted Kingston’s experience in African and international football, as well as his UEFA A and CAF B coaching licenses, describing him as the ideal candidate to identify and nurture young talent.
“Kingston will work closely with FUFA Development Director Mr. Bashir Mutyaba and the Technical Department to ensure that our youth teams are continuously scouted, trained, and ready for national duty,” Watson said. “He will be a resident coach on a two-year contract, dedicated to producing competitive and well-prepared youth teams.”
Watson confirmed that Coach Brian Senyondo will continue managing the Uganda under-17 national team, which recently qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals. Senyondo’s tenure with the team will conclude after this assignment, after which he will be available for other coaching roles within FUFA.
Taking the podium, Kingston expressed gratitude to FUFA and reflected on his past experiences with Ugandan football. “I still remember playing against Uganda during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers in Accra. It was one of the toughest matches for us, and I have always had great respect for Ugandan football,” he said.
He spoke passionately about his motivation to coach, emphasizing his desire to help young players achieve their dreams. “Football took me off the streets and gave me a future. My mission in Uganda is to educate, mentor, and empower young athletes to become better players and responsible citizens,” Kingston said.
He pledged to prioritize grassroots engagement, working with local clubs, academies, and communities to develop not only technical skills but also discipline, teamwork, and mental resilience. “Together, with the support of the federation, coaches, and the community, we can create a strong foundation for the future of Ugandan football,” he added.
Kingston concluded by expressing optimism and commitment: “It is a great honour to be part of Uganda’s football journey. I invite everyone to join hands as we work towards building youth teams that will represent the country with pride on the international stage.”
FUFA has called on the media, football fans, and the public to rally behind Kingston and support the broader youth football development program. Watson reaffirmed the federation’s commitment to implementing the Technical Master Plan, aimed at ensuring sustainable growth and competitiveness across all junior national teams.
