KAMPALA, Uganda — For many footballers and referees, retirement often signals the end of a lifelong relationship with the game. But under the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), the final whistle is increasingly becoming the start of a new chapter.
Through Pillar Four of the FUFA Technical Master Plan (TMP), dubbed “Life After Playing Football,” the federation is ensuring that former players and referees continue to contribute to the development of Ugandan football long after their playing and officiating careers have ended.
From coaching and scouting to administration, education, refereeing development and national team management, hundreds of former football personalities are being integrated into the football ecosystem, allowing them to transfer their knowledge and experience to the next generation.
According to Ahmed Hussein, FUFA’s Director of Communications, the initiative recognizes that football expertise should not be lost when careers come to an end.
“We are talking about former players and referees who retired, had careers cut short by injury, or chose to give back through coaching, administration, education and practical on-field sessions for the next generation of referees,” Hussein said.
He noted that FUFA has deliberately created pathways for football veterans to transition into various technical and administrative roles.
“Through the FUFA Ecosystem, we have deliberately opened doors for these legends to transition into administration, coaching, education, scouting and technical roles. Many have taken the initiative to upskill through FUFA, CAF, FIFA and FAMACO football education courses. Some have sponsored themselves, others are fully supported by FUFA, while others have benefited from cost-sharing programmes,” he explained.
At the centre of the programme is a commitment to building football’s human resource base while preserving institutional memory and expertise.
Under the leadership of FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim, the federation has invested heavily in training and certification programmes that allow former players and referees to remain active contributors to the sport.
Hussein revealed that the FUFA President has personally supported many former players to attain coaching qualifications.
“The FUFA President has been a key pillar in supporting former players by fully covering course fees for a large number of them to acquire or upgrade their coaching credentials across all FUFA and CAF levels,” he said.
Today, former Uganda Cranes stars, Crested Cranes players and veteran referees occupy key positions throughout the football structure.
Among those serving as FUFA Technical Officers are former top-flight players such as Steven Bengo, Tony Odur, Habib Kavuma, Vincent Kayizzi, Yusuf Kinene, Lawrence Kizito, Hamis Diego Kizza and Godfrey Ssentongo.
Others have moved into scouting, national team coaching and management. Former Uganda Cranes captain Geoffrey Massa now serves as Team Manager, while former internationals including Fred Muhumuza, Simeon Masaba, Patrick Senfuka, Yasin Mugabi and Rica Byaruhanga are helping guide Uganda’s national teams.
The programme has also seen football legends assume senior administrative positions within FUFA. Former Uganda Cranes captain Edgar Watson Suubi now serves as FUFA Chief Executive Officer, while several other former players work in competition management, education, talent identification and football development.
Beyond the secretariat, former players and referees are represented on the FUFA Executive Committee, technical committees, referee development structures, AFCON 2027 sub-committees and FIFA and CAF appointment panels.
The initiative has also invested significantly in football education. Dozens of former players have received support to pursue CAF coaching licences, FUFA youth conditioning courses and football management qualifications under the Former Footballers Initiative (FFI) and FAMACO programmes.
Notable beneficiaries include former internationals Tony Mawejje, Hassan Wasswa Mawanda, Steven Bengo, Patrick Senfuka, Lawrence Kizito, Simeon Masaba, Faridah Bulega and Olivia Mbekeka, among many others.
FUFA says the objective is not merely to offer former players jobs but to equip them with the qualifications necessary to excel in their new roles.
The growing list of football veterans serving across the federation demonstrates the impact of the Technical Master Plan’s fourth pillar, which seeks to ensure that the game’s experience, wisdom and passion remain within the football ecosystem.
As Uganda prepares for major competitions, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which the country will co-host, former players and referees are increasingly playing a central role in shaping football’s future.
For FUFA, the message is clear: retirement from the pitch does not mean retirement from football.
Instead, under the “Life After Playing Football” programme, those who once represented Uganda on the field are now helping build the structures, systems and talent that will drive the game forward for generations to come.
In the words often echoed within the federation, “Once a football person, always a football person.”