Museveni Joins Regional Cash Race with Ush1.2 Billion Pledge for Cranes Wins
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has thrown his weight behind the Uganda Cranes at the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 with a high-stakes pledge: Ush1.2 billion for every match won.
The announcement, made on Monday by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) and confirmed by Speaker Anita Among, places Uganda firmly in the regional bonus battle sparked days earlier by Kenyan President William Ruto’s generous incentive scheme for the Harambee Stars.
But even as the promise made headlines, Uganda’s Chan campaign suffered a crushing blow. In front of a home crowd at Namboole Stadium, the Cranes were outclassed in a 3-0 defeat to Algeria.
Algerian captain Ayoub Ghezala set the tone early with a first-half goal, before Abderrahmane Meziane Ben Tahar and Soufiane Bayazid wrapped up the scoring in a dominant display. The result puts Algeria top of Group C and leaves Uganda’s hopes hanging by a thread.
For the Cranes, the path forward is clear but steep: they must defeat Guinea on Friday to stand a chance of progressing beyond the group stage — something they’ve never managed in six previous appearances.
The financial reward Museveni offered equivalent to about Ush35 million per member of Uganda’s 35-man squad, including coaches and staff adds pressure and incentive in equal measure. It’s an all-or-nothing deal: win and collect, or walk away empty-handed.
By contrast, President Ruto’s package is tiered:
- Ksh1 million per player for a win
- Ksh0.5 million for a draw
- Ksh60 million for quarterfinal qualification
- Ksh70 million for a semi-final berth
- Ksh600 million for lifting the trophy
Ruto's reward plan already paid off. Kenya edged DR Congo 1–0, triggering a Ksh42 million payout to players and staff delivering on his promise.
Meanwhile, Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu has joined the fray too, vowing Tsh1 billion (about Ksh51 million) if the Taifa Stars bring home the CHAN title. Tanzania started strong with a 2-0 win over Burkina Faso in Dar es Salaam.
The 2024 tournament is being jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania under the East Africa Pamoja bid and with presidential incentives now in play, the race for glory is as much about pride and prestige as it is about silverware.
For Uganda, Friday’s showdown against Guinea is do-or-die. Victory would keep Museveni’s promise alive and resuscitate hopes of a historic breakthrough anything less, and the dream, along with the billions, could vanish in regulation time.