The CHAN 2024 tournament is not just heating up on the pitch, it is also turning into a showcase of presidential money power, as the heads of state from co-hosting nations Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya open their wallets wide in a fierce display of patriotism and prize incentives.
In a move that has taken fans and rival nations by surprise, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has set a new financial benchmark for rewarding national teams.
According to a post by FUFA (Federation of Uganda Football Associations), Museveni has pledged a jaw-dropping UGX 1.2 billion per win (approximately Sh43 million) for the Uganda Cranes during CHAN 2024.
“H.E. President of the Republic of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni sets the bar high!” read the FUFA tweet. “The President has announced a massive winning bonus of 1.2 billion shillings per match for the team at CHAN 2024!”
The announcement came after a high-level meeting between Museveni and FUFA officials, signaling the president’s intent to motivate the team and raise Uganda’s profile in regional football.
But Uganda is not the only nation upping the stakes.
After the Taifa Stars thrilled home fans with a convincing 2-0 victory over Burkina Faso at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan stepped in with a generous reward TSh20 million (around Sh1.03 million) for the win.
She was not alone. Sports Minister Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi and another unnamed government official followed suit, each contributing TSh20 million, bringing the total reward to TSh60 million (approximately Sh3 million).
President Samia also dangled a tantalizing TSh1 billion bonus (aproximately Sh51.7 million) should the team go all the way and win the tournament.
But when it comes to sheer numbers, Kenya’s President William Ruto is playing in an entirely different league.
Ruto has rolled out a structured, performance-based reward system for the Harambee Stars.
Sh 1 million per win, Sh500,000 per draw, Sh600 million bonus if they reach the final.
And the biggest carrot of all a staggering Sh452 million (approximately $3.5 million) in prize money for winning the tournament
While fans across East Africa are reveling in strong starts from their national teams, it is evident that the battle for CHAN 2024 is being fought both on and off the pitch.
These hefty financial incentives are not only motivating players but also stoking regional pride and competitive spirit among the co-hosting nations.
With the tournament entering its most crucial stages, the message from the top is clear: win, and win big and you will be rewarded like royalty.
Let the games (and bonuses) continue.