KAMPALA — The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has renewed national team head coach Paul Put’s contract through 2028, extending the Belgian’s tenure as the Uganda Cranes prepare to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027.
The announcement, made in Kampala on Nov. 6, is meant to signal stability after weeks of speculation about the 68-year-old coach’s future. FUFA Chief Executive Officer Edgar Watson said the federation wanted to end the uncertainty and reaffirm its confidence in Put’s leadership.
“We have noticed a lot of anxiety in some sectors of the public recently,” Watson told reporters. “Rumours and speculations concerning the Head 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 Head Coach of the Uganda Cranes for the next two and a half years starting with immediate effect.”
The new deal will run through Uganda’s 2027 AFCON campaign, which the country will co-host under the PAMOJA arrangement alongside Kenya and Tanzania. Watson said Put will continue overseeing the senior team, the CHAN (African Nations Championship) squad, and the under-23 side, maintaining his role in shaping strategy and player development.
FUFA also confirmed two friendly matches for later this month — against Chad on Nov. 14 and Morocco on Nov. 18 — both to be played in Morocco.
FUFA First Vice President Justus Mugisha said the decision to renew Put’s contract was based on results and alignment with the federation’s long-term technical plan.
“This is in line with the profound vision of building number one both on and off the field,” Mugisha said. “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.”
He acknowledged that FUFA seldom renews coaching contracts but said this one “was the easiest decision because of his work.”
“We are confident at FUFA that you will take us to the real top as far as African football is concerned,” Mugisha added. “And maybe, you never know, even the next World Cup.”
He also thanked the Ugandan government for its continued financial support to football programs across the country.
For his part, Put said he was “very happy and proud” about the extension, describing it as a sign of trust from the federation.
“For the extension of the contract I can say that I am very happy and I am proud,” he said. “Because when I signed for the first time the President asked me to build a strong team for 2027.”
The coach, who took charge in late 2023, said the renewal reflects belief in the project he started. “You cannot imagine how many messages I received from my players who asked me to continue with Uganda,” he added. “I always felt very good in Uganda. I felt respected by the Federation, by players and also by fans.”
Put said he hopes to use the next two years to strengthen the team’s unity and consistency. “I want to continue in the next two years to come out with results, with good football,” he said, “and like we have been doing from the beginning, creating the family more strong.”
Since taking over, Put has guided Uganda to qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco and a strong showing in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, where the Cranes finished second in their group behind Algeria — narrowly missing a playoff spot.
Uganda’s upcoming friendlies against Chad and Morocco will mark the first tests of Put’s new contract as he begins preparing the team for what many see as the country’s most ambitious football chapter yet.
