The East African nation has confirmed the renewal of Put’s contract as Uganda national team coach until 2028. This announcement was made in Kampala with FUFA emphasising trust in stability and continuity as Uganda prepares for the AFCON slated for the North African nation.
The decision by FUFA came just a few days after Zambia parted ways with veteran coach Avram Grant while Zimbabwe Football Association terminated the contract of German coach Michael Nees. Both Grant and Nees had helped their respective countries to qualify for the AFCON.
Confirming the extension of Put contract, FUFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Edgar Watson said there had been anxiety among sections of the public over speculation on the future of the senior team technical role.
“We have noticed a lot of anxiety in some sectors of the public recently. Rumours and speculations concerning the coach of the Uganda Cranes. I am here and delighted to announce to you that FUFA has agreed with coach Paul (Put) to a new contract as the coach of the Cranes for the next two and a half years starting with immediate effect,” said Watson as quoted by FUFA Media.
Put will continue to lead strategy, player selection
According to Watson, the duration covers the period under which Uganda will host the 2027 AFCON under the PAMOJA arrangement. Watson further confirmed that Put will remain the coach of the senior team, the CHAN team, and the U23 boys team and will continue to lead strategy and player selection.
FUFA first Vice President Justus Mugisha said the renewal decision was based on the performance and alignment to the Federation’s technical master plan, and further stated the Executive Committee made the easiest decision to have him stay because of his work.
He said: “This is in line with the profound vision of building number one both on and off the field and also from the work done by our coach in the recent past where we nearly qualified for the World Cup and where our national team performed very well in CHAN for the very first time we reached the quarterfinals.”
Mugisha added: “We are confident as FUFA that Put will take Uganda to the real top as far as African football is concerned and maybe even to the next World Cup.”
Put proud and humbled by the extension
Speaking after putting pen to paper, Put, who formerly coached Kenya national team Harambee Stars, said he was very proud and humbled by the extension of the contract.
“I can say that I am very happy and I am proud because when I signed for the first time the President asked me to build a strong team for 2027,” explained Put.
The 69-year-old Belgian coach further said the extension showed that the Federation believed in his work and trusted the project.
He said: “You cannot imagine how many messages I received from my players, who asked me to continue with Uganda and I always felt very good in Uganda. I felt respected by the Federation by players and also by fans.
“I want to continue in the next two years to come out with results with good football and like we have been doing from the beginning creating the family more strong.”
Put will now take Uganda to AFCON, where they have been pooled in Group C alongside Nigeria, Tunisia and East African neighbours Tanzania. The Cranes will start their campaign against the Carthage Eagles on December 23rd.
Their matchday two fixture will be against Taifa Stars before they conclude their group matches against the Super Eagles on December 30. Uganda's AFCON history includes seven appearances, with their best result being a runner-up finish in 1978 when they lost the final to Ghana.
The team’s debut campaign was in 1962, and they returned to the tournament in 2017 after a 39-year absence, followed by another appearance in 2019.
The 35th edition of the AFCON will feature 24 teams competing in nine stadiums across six vibrant cities — Rabat, Casablanca, Fès, Tangier, Marrakech, and Agadir — with the opening match set to see the Atlas Lions face Comoros at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
