Laryea Kingston appointed head coach of Uganda’s Junior national teams

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has officially unveiled former Ghanaian international Laryea Kingston as the new full-time head coach in charge of Uganda’s youth national teams.

The appointment was confirmed during a press briefing at FUFA House in Mengo, with Chief Executive Officer Edgar Watson describing the move as a crucial milestone in Uganda’s long-term plan to strengthen its junior football structures through consistent preparation and talent development.

FUFA’s Commitment to Youth Football

In his remarks, Watson acknowledged that Uganda’s youth football has faced major setbacks due to irregular team assemblies that only happen before tournaments.

“We’ve had situations where the identification of players at underage levels happens only when a tournament is around the corner,” he said. “This limits player exposure and disrupts development. FUFA has therefore designed a Technical Master Plan focusing on continuous youth football growth.”

He revealed that the Federation has already launched a national scouting platform to identify and track young talent from all regions of Uganda, including upcountry areas that are often overlooked. The initiative aims to ensure year-round monitoring and equitable player development.

Why Kingston Was Chosen

Watson emphasized that FUFA sought a coach who is neutral, experienced, and passionate about youth development.

“Mr Kingston perfectly fits that profile. He’s played at every level for Ghana—from U15 to the senior team—and brings a wealth of knowledge from his playing and coaching experiences in Africa and Europe,” he noted.
Kingston holds UEFA A and CAF B licenses and previously worked with Ghana’s U17 team and the Right to Play Academy.

He will work closely with FUFA Development Director Bashir Mutyaba and the Technical Department to oversee Uganda’s U15, U17, and U20 national teams on a two-year full-time contract.

Watson also confirmed that Coach Brian Senyondo will continue handling the current Uganda U17 team during the ongoing assignment before transitioning to other FUFA technical roles.

Kingston’s Vision for Uganda

Taking to the podium, Kingston expressed heartfelt gratitude to FUFA for the opportunity and reflected on his connection to Ugandan football.
“I still remember playing against Uganda during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers in Accra—it was one of the toughest matches,” he recalled. “Since then, I’ve had great respect for Ugandan football.”
He fondly mentioned his friendship with former Uganda Cranes star David Obua, with whom he shared a dressing room in Scotland, crediting him for deepening his appreciation of Uganda’s football culture.

Kingston outlined his mission to use football as a tool for transformation.

“Football took me off the streets and gave me a future. My goal in Uganda is to educate, mentor, and empower young athletes to become better players and responsible citizens,” he said.

Building the Next Generation

The new coach pledged to focus on grassroots engagement, collaborating with local clubs, academies, and communities to build a sustainable talent pipeline.

“We will develop not only technical skills but also discipline, teamwork, and mental strength. Together, we can create a strong foundation for the future of Ugandan football,” he added.

Kingston concluded by expressing optimism about his new role: “It’s a great honour to be part of Uganda’s football journey. Let’s work together to build youth teams that will represent this country with pride on the international stage.”

FUFA called on all stakeholders—fans, media, and football communities—to support Kingston’s work and the Federation’s Technical Master Plan, reaffirming their commitment to nurturing a generation of talented and competitive players for the national teams.