The former Uganda Cranes star Jackson Mayanja aka Mia mia who was Uganda’s top-scorer for the 1993 Nations Cup qualifiers with six goals also former KCC star and current technical director at Uganda Premier League side Kyetume FC was appointed as the new President for EXIFA by the members at Grand Imperial hotel on Tuesday.
The association which was in Limbo since 2012 is back because of the deterioration of EXIFA status in the affairs of Ugandan football, the welfare of our fellow brothers and the plight of our beautiful game among others.
Mayanja will be assisted by George Ssimwogerere with Gibby Kalule Secretary, Uganda Revenue football club head coach Sam Ssimbwa is the Treasurer, controversial Patrick Ntege is the Organizing Secretary, Dan Walusimbi the Project Manager, Baker Masiko and Majida Nantanda the Welfare officials among the members on the committee.
The association was started in 1975 and has since inception been part of FUFA general assembly until it was divorced in 2012, something that Mayanja says that “it was hard to digest.”
Some Ex Internationals have consequently been at war with FUFA and Mayanja said that they are ready to make peace. Notably, in 2017, there were ugly scenes at FUFA house when the ex-players invaded Mengo trying to force their way into offices and a police officer ended up shooting himself on the left leg.
“We are not here to fight the Federation anymore,” Mayanja vowed. “But we are here to see that we can develop the game of football in our capacity.”
“Many things took place in the past, but what happened in the past is past and we want to start a new chapter with FUFA. We want them to come on board as well and help where need be.”
Mayanja said that they are going to look into their past constitution and see some amendments that can be made. He revealed that they are contemplating on where to have an office whether at FUFA house in Mengo or at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.
The association’s core objective is to reorganize ourselves and address our challenges so that the welfare of the former players is improved.
The new leadership wants to speak for ourselves and has appealed for help from anyone in any capacity.
“We call upon anyone, and we have to start with President of Uganda Museveni because some of these former players also played under his regime,” said Mayanja.
“It is also absurd that former players are not awarded. I thank the president for having injected in money in sports and we want him to come and help us as well.”
Many former players were living in sorry life including the late Jimmy Kirunda, who died paupers.
Gibby Kalule said that “we cannot see our former colleagues falling off the road and dying and do nothing.”
“We are going to mobilize and reach out to former players, see how they can be helped. We shall see how we can work with the Federation as long as they are ready to work with us.”
The Ex-International Footballers Association that was in limbo for over eight years has been resurrected
The New Committee
President –Jackson Mayanja
Vice President – George Ssimwogerere
Secretary –Gibby Kalule and Kefa Kisala
Treasurer –Sam Ssimbwa and Philip Obwiny
Organizing Secretary – Patrick Ntege and Ssenoga Umar
Project Manager – Dan Walusimbi and Dan Ntale
PRO – Andy Mwesigwa and Dan Mubiru Mujapani
Welfare –Baker Masiko, Christine Wanyana and Majida Nantanda
Council Members – Ali Ssendegeya, Fred Mukasa, Godfrey Nyola and Tom Lwanga.
