Uganda Cranes Camp in Turmoil as Players Strike Over Unpaid Bonuses
KAMPALA — The Uganda national football team, the Cranes, experienced a significant disruption in their preparations after players staged a strike on Tuesday, refusing to train over long-unpaid bonuses and a disputed qualification incentive.
The protest began with internal discussions among players at their team hotel before escalating. The squad skipped their scheduled training session after a group of approximately seven senior players confronted head coach Paul Put, informing him they would not participate. The coach acknowledged their position and called off the session.
The core of the dispute centers on financial promises from the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA). According to sources within the camp, players held talks with FUFA President Moses Magogo regarding a proposed €6,000 bonus for qualifying from the first stage of their current campaign. Several senior players vehemently rejected the offer as insufficient, citing a backlog of unpaid bonuses spanning over a year.
“This is not about asking for favors,” expressed one team source, capturing the sentiment of the squad. “It is about respect and payment of our rightful dues. Promises have been made repeatedly without fulfillment.”
The strike action underscores deep-seated frustrations over compensation within the national team setup, threatening squad morale on the eve of crucial competitive fixtures.
However, following intense overnight negotiations between player representatives and federation officials, a temporary resolution has been reached. The Uganda Cranes confirmed they would return to training on Wednesday, indicating that discussions with President Magogo have progressed towards a potential agreement.
While the immediate crisis has been defused, the incident highlights ongoing tensions between the national team players and FUFA regarding financial obligations. All eyes will be on the federation to see if the latest assurances translate into tangible payments, or if further disruptions could lie ahead for the Uganda Cranes.
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