FUFA President Hon. Moses Hassim Magogo chose unity over competition after withdrawing from the race for the CECAFA presidency during the Elective General Assembly in Djibouti, setting a calm and reflective mood at the meeting.
Speaking to delegates, Magogo pointed to football politics as the region’s biggest obstacle, saying it has slowed growth and left East and Central Africa trailing other parts of the continent.
He warned that elections often create divisions instead of strengthening the game, something the region can no longer afford.
Magogo said his decision was guided by past experience, recalling how he stepped aside in Juba, South Sudan, to allow Tanzania’s Wallace Karia to go unopposed for a CAF Executive Committee seat.
With Burundi’s Alexandre Muyenge having already withdrawn, Magogo said it was only right for him to do the same.
“My brother from Burundi has stepped aside, and I have chosen the same path,” he told the Assembly, adding that consensus leadership would save time and help the region move forward together.
His withdrawal left Eritrea’s Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam as the only candidate for the CECAFA presidency.
He also highlighted the harsh reality facing the region, noting that for many member associations, CECAFA competitions are their highest level of exposure.
Only a few countries regularly host tournaments, while others struggle to take part, a situation he said demands collective action.
CECAFA is made up of 11 member associations Sudan, Eritrea, South Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi and Magogo urged them to put politics aside and focus on developing the game.
