Museveni lauds Uganda Cranes

President Yoweri Museveni has said that games train and prepare people for peaceful competition.

He made the remarks on Monday evening at State House in Entebbe where he hosted the Uganda Cranes after their return home from the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

Museveni hosted them to a luncheon and congratulated the national team for qualifying among the top 16 teams out of 54 in Africa, which took part in the tournament.

"I congratulate you for qualifying among the top 16 teams out of 53 in Africa that participated in the contest. You should always bear in mind the stamina that enables you to compete favourably. You need to be organised, coordinated and put pressure on the opponent team," he said.

The Uganda Cranes' participation in AFCON 2019 marked the team's second consecutive appearance in the competition after ending a run of 39 years without qualifying for the tournament in 2017.

The President observed that games bring unity in the country and that it was not good to bring partisan politics in sport.

He pledged a donation of $1million for both the players and officials. He reminded them that as sports people, they must be disciplined by avoiding alcohol and promiscuity.

Museveni noted that the Uganda Cranes team has made reasonable success and admired the fitness of the Uganda Cranes team.

He said football and other games at large are medicinal to our health, adding that games provide the arena for training participants in peaceful competition. He further remarked that games train the body, mind and character of the players on top of entertainment, a situation that leads to income generation as well.

State sports minister Charles Bakabulindi thanked Museveni for supporting the Uganda Cranes at AFCON.

FUFA president Moses Magogo noted that the Cranes qualified for AFCON because of President Museveni's efforts while the skipper, Denis Onyango, noted that his support had motivated the team immensely.