KAMPALA — The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has thrown open the design of the next Uganda Cranes jersey to the public, partnering with MTN Uganda on a nationwide campaign that invites fans, students and professional designers alike to submit concepts for the national team’s new kit.
The campaign, named Free Your Fayaaa – Tulage Waaka, was launched in Kampala on June 18 and builds on MTN Uganda’s existing Free Your Fire platform. Organizers say it is meant to turn supporters from spectators into creators, giving them a direct hand in shaping a kit that has long served as a symbol of national pride ahead of the Cranes’ upcoming continental fixtures.
Submissions open on June 22 and close on July 9, with entries accepted via mtnmore.com from individuals and groups alike. FUFA and MTN say the contest is open to anyone with an original concept, from professional designers and creative collectives to students and ordinary football fans.
A judging process will narrow the field to seven finalists, who will then join a three-day mentorship boot camp from July 14 to 16, working alongside experienced creatives and industry professionals to refine their designs before one is selected for production. The winning concept will be developed into the next official Uganda Cranes jersey, with the process documented from concept through to unveiling.
Organizers have set aside a prize fund of more than UGX 50 million, to be shared among the winning and finalist entries.
John Paul Okwi, Manager of Sponsorships and Events at MTN Uganda, said the campaign reflects the telecom’s broader push to give Ugandans platforms to showcase their talent. He described the contest as more than a design exercise, framing it as a chance for Ugandans to leave a personal mark on the national team and create a symbol that reflects the country’s identity.
FUFA 1st Vice President Justus Mugisha welcomed the initiative as a way to deepen the bond between the national team and its supporters, saying it would let fans feel genuine ownership of the jersey they wear and that the designs submitted would carry the team’s hopes onto the continental stage.
Participants are being encouraged to share their entries and follow the campaign online using the hashtags #MyCranesJersey and #FreeYourFayaaa.
FUFA, founded in 1924, governs football in Uganda under FIFA and the Confederation of African Football, overseeing the men’s and women’s national teams, the top two tiers of domestic football, the Uganda Cup, and lower-tier leagues run through regional and district associations.
