FUFA launches Academies League to nurture Uganda’s next football stars
The initiative aims to provide structured competition for young footballers while building a clear pathway from grassroots academies to national youth teams.
Uganda’s football governing body, Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), has taken another step toward strengthening grassroots football with the launch of the FUFA Academies League, a youth competition designed to identify and nurture the country’s next generation of football stars.
The new league, unveiled as part of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS), targets young players in Grade 2 and Grade 3 academies—primarily children born in 2011 and 2012. The initiative aims to provide structured competition for young footballers while building a clear pathway from grassroots academies to national youth teams.
A pathway for future stars
Speaking at the launch, FUFA President Moses Magogo said the competition is a key milestone in the federation’s long-term vision to systematically develop football talent across the country.
“Today we are excited to launch a new competition in line with the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, the FUFA Academies League whose objective is to give an opportunity to the children in development to compete and showcase,” Magogo said.
He added that the league will also serve as a scouting platform for the national football academy and Uganda’s youth national teams.
“This competition will also serve as a scouting ground for the national football academy and the national youth teams,” he noted.
Pilot project in central Uganda
The FUFA Academies League will initially run as a pilot project in the Kampala and Buganda regions. According to the federation, the program will focus on academies that meet specific development and competition requirements.
If successful, the model will be expanded to other regions across the country, creating a nationwide platform for youth football development.
To prepare teams for the competition, participating academies have already received 10 Zakayo footballs each, provided ahead of the official kickoff scheduled for March 22, 2026.
The league is expected to complement FUFA’s Technical Master Plan, which includes a Talent Identification (Talent ID) Framework supported by FIFA. The framework is designed to scout and nurture young players from grassroots level and guide them through structured development pathways.
Symbol of youth and ambition
The league’s identity reflects its mission of nurturing young talent. The FUFA Academies League logo features a youthful figure in teal reaching for a football designed in the colours of the Ugandan flag—symbolising ambition, growth and opportunity.
Its slogan, “Greatness Starts Now,” captures the spirit of the initiative, emphasizing that football excellence begins with early development and proper guidance.
With the launch of the academies league, FUFA hopes to deepen grassroots football structures, ensuring that talented children across Uganda have the opportunity to develop their skills and chase their dreams of playing at the highest level.
