ENTEBBE-Uganda Printing and Publishing Cooperation (UPPC) has unveiled a foot ball team consisting of 30 members from Jinja based Gaddafi Football Club.
On unveiling the team to the press at UPPC offices in Entebbe on Friday, Joseph Okurut, UPPC team President revealed that they have decided to venture into football in fulfillment of their plans of skilling and promoting talent among young people.
“UPPC has over 80 percent of its employees being youth, these youth not only contribute to the development of the country but also to their own well-being. So we came up to promote talent as well as our brand. We all know that UPPC is a government entity which was established in 1902 , we print on behalf of government and non government entities.”
He pointed out that their dream of investing in football started way back while they were still a small team playing in corporate league and other events. “From this we found out that we can do better after identifying our strength in sports. We went out to look out for clubs on the market by then, and since we wanted to look big in this field, a number of clubs were identified and we zeroed at Gaddafi FC.”
About the players’ welfare, Okurut emphasized that the team members are not only going to stop at playing football, but they will be also enrolled in a Printing school yet to be established by UPPC where they will learn more about the printing business.
“During this season, the team is going to be playing under Gaddafi FC as FUFA finalizes the rest of the transition process. Hopefully by the end of this year or at the beginning of next year, the team will be playing under UPPC FC.”
Allan Kabonge , the senior coach for UPPC FC at this event, promised to utilize all his skills and knowledge in football to ensure that this team make it to list of top clubs on the African continent.
“At first many thought that I didn’t know even how to speak English, as others accused me of lacking the required qualifications. I would like to assure you that, I recently upgraded and acquired qualifications which can enable me to a team at Premier League level and beyond.”
He called upon all the fans for Gaddafi FC from all over the country, to turn up in big numbers for their match which is going to be held at their home ground in Entebbe on Sunday 13th October 2024.
Thomas Kakaire , the team captain revealed that their Coach is an experienced person who offers enough time to each of the players when it comes to training. “He always emphasizes the issue of time management and discipline among all club members.”
Some of the talented stars on this team are; Samuel Kawawa, Davis Kasirye, Savio Kabugo and others.
From their recent match played against Karo Karungi FC, this team registered a draw of 1:1. The next match has been scheduled for Sunday, 13th October 2024 and they will be taking on Kigezi Home Boys. (UPPC will host the game at their home ground of Entebbe Works stadium.
