Uganda CHAN 2024 Legacy: How Football Sparked a New Era

The Uganda CHAN 2024 legacy is much more than final scores. As co-hosts of the TotalEnergies CHAN PAMOJA tournament, Uganda had a vision to utilize the tournament to rebuild football infrastructure, and use it as a base to develop talent whilst inspiring national pride. Even though the Cranes didn’t make it out of the group stage, the effects of this tournament will be seen for years.

A Tournament of Growth, Not Just Results

Uganda was placed into Group A of CHAN 2024 with Algeria, Niger, and the Central African Republic. While the aim was realistic rather than defeatist, for the coaches Morley Byekwaso and Fred Muhumuza, the intention was very clear – to grow the game rather than pursue a quick fix or short-term results.

The first match couldn’t have gone worse – losing 3–0 to Algeria at the newly refurbished Mandela National Stadium. The performance showed nerves, inexperience, and lapses of concentration in key moments of the game. Coach Byekwaso openly admitted it, “We missed out on our defensive block…the team was anxious.”

Uganda didn’t lay down and take the loss lying down – they fought back.

Group Stage Battles: Lessons in Resilience

In the second game, Uganda rewrote the narrative. They beat Niger 2–0, in the most disciplined spirited performance to date. KCCA SC playmaker Allan Okello scored one and assisted the other leading from the front.

“Our first match was defensive, but we went out looking to win. We restructured our defense and used our captains to inspire. A solid defensive display, and no goals conceded, was important,” Coach Byekwaso told media.

Despite the fact that their last group stage game against the Central African Republic ended in a draw, the competition did reveal a few more things:

• A squad that had the capacity to manage their nerves
• Player who cannot replaced the tournament experience
• A support base trying to revive its relationship with local football stars

Breakout Players: The Rise of Local Heroes

Uganda’s best player from CHAN 2024 was Enock Ssebagala. The Vipers SC midfielder not only played well, but he also embodied family legacy: his brother Manko Kaweesa played at CHAN 2011.

Ssebagala said: “My brother inspired me… I want to represent my country and to make my family proud.”

Other notable players include:

• Allan Okello – who stepped in and acted as both creator and scorer;
• Geoffrey Wasswa – who brought both leadership and stability to the backline;
• Simon Tamale – who appeared composed and in control in goal;

All players on the Cranes CHAN team had been selected solely from the domestic competition and many players have been chosen again for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

Uganda’s Experience at CHAN

Until 2024, Uganda had not advanced beyond the group stages in any of their previous six CHAN appearances.

Despite consistent exits, the narrative of CHAN 2024 shifted:

• More discernible tactical discipline
• Emphasis on player development
• Easily identifiable coaching philosophy

This was not just another tournament; this was a reboot.

Mandela National Stadium: A Renovation Story

Mandela National Stadium: A Renovation Story

One of the notable legacies of CHAN 2024 will be the rebirth of Mandela National Stadium (Namboole). The refurbishment involved:

• Completely new turf
• New floodlights
• New changing rooms and media area

This investment is about more than just serving the national team though. It is a center for:

• Domestic league matches
• Youth tournaments
• Community sport and concerts

It also demonstrates Uganda’s capacity to once again host major tournaments.

Community Impact: Jobs, Tourism, and Local Economy

Football delivered more than just goals. During CHAN 2024:

• Match days provided an uplift to local business, especially food vendors and transport providers
• Thousands of fans travelled to Uganda, creating revenue opportunity in tourism
• Hotels, bars, and market stalls adjacent to the stadiums reported record profits

The economic ripple effect was real. Not just in Kampala either – adjoining towns benefitted too.

Talent Pipeline: From CHAN to World Cup Qualifiers

CHAN has become the testing ground for local talent. After the tournament:

• Several Cranes players were selected for the World Cup qualification squad
• Coaching staff classified CHAN as a ‘competitive lab’; players could experiment with their tactics.
• Coaching staff would apply tactical learnings to training for more difficult matches

These players did not simply play in CHAN – they built trust.

Building for the Future: Coaching, Development, and Exposure

CHAN 2024 real power was its capacity to influence future generation. Coaches Byekwaso and Muhumuza:

• Gave the time to play to younger players.
• Picked up athletes from local leagues who were doing well.
• Formed a ‘playing’ character around being hardworking and disciplined.

Youth academies have already indicated that they have had increased interest from young people inspired by the tournament. Uganda’s footballing future may have started from here

Final Thoughts: What Legacy Really Means

The Uganda CHAN 2024 legacy will not be determined by a knockout round, or even a trophy. It is determined by:

• A Stadium Renewed
• A New Generation of Stars
• Community Pride Restored
• Talent Pipelines Opened

Legacies are not just about trophies. Sometimes, they are about trust. And in 2024 Uganda planted seeds that could change the story of its football forever.