FUFA extends Academy registration window to strengthen elite player pathways

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has defended its decision to extend the football academy registration deadline, saying the move is aimed at strengthening inclusivity and safeguarding the country’s long-term elite player development framework.

Speaking on the extension, FUFA Football Development Director Bashir Mutyaba revealed that the decision followed an internal assessment that highlighted both technical and communication gaps during the initial registration phase. FUFA had earlier scheduled two windows July 1 to July 31 and January 1 to January 31 but resolved to reopen the process to ensure no eligible academy is left behind.

According to Mutyaba, the extension was not an afterthought but a deliberate step to accommodate stakeholders who faced challenges accessing the registration system or receiving timely information. He noted that some key actors within academy structures were not adequately reached during the earlier windows, prompting FUFA to adjust its approach.

The response from the academy fraternity, he added, has been encouraging. Many operators have welcomed the additional time, viewing it as an opportunity to formally align their setups with FUFA requirements and regularise their operations within the national football ecosystem.

FUFA introduced an online registration platform

Mutyaba emphasised academy registration is a cornerstone of the FUFA Technical Master Plan launched in 2023, which places structured academies at the heart of elite football development. He explained that properly registered academies enable FUFA to guide, standardise and monitor the environments in which young players are nurtured, ensuring the right technical personnel and development standards are in place.

As part of ongoing reforms, FUFA introduced an online registration platform designed to streamline the process. The system allows academies to submit documentation remotely, cutting costs, reducing travel and creating a centralised database for better oversight. The digital shift, Mutyaba said, is intended to make the process more accessible and efficient nationwide.

Beyond registration, FUFA has set up a seven-member panel of experts tasked with physically inspecting academies to verify compliance with established standards. Only academies that meet the required criteria will be approved and recommended for licensing, ensuring quality control across all levels.

The entire process operates within the framework of the National Sports Act, which mandates the National Council of Sports to license academies. Under this arrangement, FUFA’s role is to evaluate, approve and recommend compliant football academies for licensing by the council.

Mutyaba outlined FUFA’s four-tier academy structure, headed by the National Football Academy managed by FUFA.

This is followed by Grade 2 academies operated by Uganda Premier League clubs and private entities, Grade 3 regional academies and Schools of Excellence, and Grade 4 community-based foundation academies. The structure, he said, creates a clear pathway for talent identification and progression from grassroots to the national level.

To further support stakeholders, FUFA has appointed an Academy Licensing and Compliance Officer to handle correspondence, provide guidance and respond to queries throughout the process. Mutyaba noted that the role is designed to simplify engagement and help academies meet requirements with greater ease as FUFA pushes for a more organised and sustainable talent development system.