Dixon Okello Questions FUFA's Shs250,000 Mandatory Safety Training Fee

Football safety and security expert Dixon Okello is raising concerns over the Federation of Uganda Football Associations’ (FUFA) decision to impose a Shs250,000 fee for a mandatory training course for Safety and Security Officers (SSOs).

This three-day course, scheduled for July 11, is a key component of FUFA’s 2026 Club Licensing Regulations. These regulations mandate that all clubs across the Uganda Premier League, FUFA Women’s Super League, FUFA Big League, and FUFA Women Elite League must have a certified SSO responsible for match safety and compliance.

Okello, who is one of Uganda’s three CAF-certified instructors, argues that charging participants or their clubs this fee is unusual. He noted in an appeal to FUFA that continental practice typically sees football federations covering such training costs.

“In my extensive experience facilitating CAF and federation-led safety programs across Africa, the host federation has consistently covered all training, accommodation and transportation costs. Participants are never required to make personal financial contributions,” Okello stated.

He emphasized that this fee creates an “unnecessary financial barrier” for individuals who often volunteer their time to ensure safety at football matches. Okello also revealed that he has personally funded similar training programs in the past to prevent trainees from incurring costs, aligning with CAF’s principles of capacity building.

Okello believes FUFA has the financial capacity to follow this continental precedent and urges them to reconsider the fee, proposing that the federation instead cover training costs and transport refunds.

The FUFA circular from June 19 stated the fee is required to complete applications for the course, which also requires participants to hold a FIFA Essentials Safeguarding Certificate. Okello has offered to discuss the matter further with the federation.

This disagreement is set to spark a broader conversation about financial responsibilities for mandatory football training in Uganda.

Source: Nile Post