Amidst the excitement after qualifying for the African Cup of Nations knock-out stage for the first time in decades, Uganda was today morning hit with sad news that the players had decided to strike over unpaid wages.
News reaching our desk this morning indicated that players refused to board the bus to go for training at Arab Contractors Stadium in Cairo in protest of their unpaid AFCON bonuses and allowances.
Within no time, Uganda Cranes fans world-wide stormed social media sites demanding both the government and FUFA, Uganda’s football managing body to pay the player’s salaries.
One hour after the news broke, more than 2,000 tweets had gone up with the hashtag #PayUgandaCranesAllowances trending at number 1.
However, following a shocking press release by FUFA, it is was revealed that the football body had actually paid the funds to each player’s respective accounts even before the scuffle broke out.
FUFA expressed their disappointment with the players for opting to strike and hold them hostage to re-negotiate their contracts despite having signed and agreed to follow a clear bonus payment system before AFCON.
According to FUFA, the team has already received the following payments as agreed by their contracts;
- 420 USD for the Camp in Uganda (14 days)
- 5,100 USD for the Foreign Camp (34 days ending 30th June 2019)
- 4,000 USD for the Winning Bonus of the DR Congo match
- 2,000 USD for the Draw against Zimbabwe
“Far and beyond the Code of Conduct, FUFA has also paid extra 2,780 USD to each player for camp morale and 300 USD for the International friendly match against Ivory Coast,” FUFA added.
FUFA even went further ahead and gave the public a glimpse of the financial structure to be paid to each team member as per the Code of Conduct.
| Item |
|
USD |
| Camp in Uganda per day |
14 days |
30 |
| Foreign Camp (Abu Dhabi & Cairo) per day |
53 days |
150 |
| Each Draw in the Group Stages |
|
2,000 |
| Each Win in the Group Stages |
|
4,000 |
| R16 to R8 (Winning @ R16) |
1 |
5,000 |
| R8 to R4 (Winning @ Quarter Final) |
1 |
7,000 |
| R4 to R2 (Winning @ Semi-Final) |
1 |
9,000 |
| Winning the Final |
1 |
14,630 |
However, despite FUFA insisting all the funds have been cleared, players have continuously told the media that most of their allowances have not been paid.
“We are not training today, we need our allowances paid,” an undisclosed player was quoted.
“You guys (journalists) report that we have been cleared yet in the actual sense, we have not, so we are putting our tools down until something is done,” the player revealed to Football 256.
Despite the two contradicting stories, something has to be done soon. With Uganda meant to take on Defending Champions Senegal, the Cranes have to prepare if they are to stand a chance.
More about this story to follow.
