OBADIAH T
The president of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) and member of parliament for Budiope East, Hon. Eng. Moses Magogo, has called on parents to recognize and nurture their children’s talents, stressing the life-changing impact talent can have on individuals and communities.
Hon. Magogo made the remarks yesterday as the Guest of Honor during the second edition of the Dr. Sylvia Alinaitwe Tumuheirwe Youth Cup 2025, held at Rushebeya Playground in Rwamucucu Subcounty, Rukiga District.
The tournament, organized and fully sponsored by Dr. Sylvia Alinaitwe, a Rukiga woman MP aspirant, attracted over 60 teams from across the district’s parishes. It aimed to promote youth talent, foster unity, and encourage health and community engagement through sports.
In a highly competitive boys’ final, Sindi Ward edged past defending champions Nyakagabagaba with a 1-0 victory. Meanwhile, the girls’ final between Rukiga North and Rukiga South ended in a 1-1 draw, with Rukiga North winning in a tense penalty shootout.
Hon. Magogo commended Dr. Alinaitwe for her unwavering commitment to sports development and talent nurturing in Rukiga, noting that her contributions were remarkable even before she held political office. He encouraged locals to support her in the upcoming elections, citing her continued efforts to uplift the community.
In her remarks, Dr. Alinaitwe congratulated the participating teams and highlighted the role of sports in instilling discipline, promoting health, and building social connections. She pledged to sustain and expand the tournament annually as a tool for youth empowerment.
Beyond sports, Dr. Alinaitwe announced plans to broaden her development initiatives in Rukiga District, including scaling up agricultural programs such as coffee farming and other community-based economic projects aimed at improving livelihoods.
She also urged residents to uphold peace, humility, and spiritual reflection, especially during this politically charged period. Dr. Alinaitwe appealed to Christians to deepen their faith and called on all community members to avoid riots and political confrontations, instead embracing dialogue and unity.
In a gesture of interfaith solidarity, Hon. Magogo, through Dr. Alinaitwe, donated translated Qurans, Islamic prayer mats, and other religious items to the Muslim community in Rukiga to support their spiritual growth and promote interfaith harmony.
The colorful event was graced by a range of dignitaries, including former Uganda Cranes captain Hassan Wasswa, political and religious leaders, aspiring MPs such as Patrick Katabazi, and hundreds of enthusiastic residents. Winning teams received trophies, jerseys, medals, footballs, and other sports gear.
The Dr. Sylvia Alinaitwe Tumuheirwe Youth Cup continues to grow as a flagship program for youth development in Rukiga, offering young people a platform to showcase their talents and aspire to greater achievements.
