Uganda Cranes’ return to the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 ended in bitter disappointment, with the team exiting the tournament at the group stage after a campaign that raised more questions than answers.
Placed in Group C, Uganda finished bottom with just one point from three matches. The Cranes conceded seven goals, managed only two in reply, and never truly looked competitive against their opponents, bringing an abrupt end to their AFCON journey.
As frustration and soul-searching grip the football fraternity back home, FUFA’s National Teams Officer, Paul Mukatabala, did not mince words when reflecting on the campaign. Speaking to FUFA TV, he offered a blunt assessment of Uganda’s performance on the continent’s biggest stage.
“In just one word, I think our campaign was a disaster,” Mukatabala emotionally revealed.
Mukatabala admitted the outcome fell far below expectations, especially considering the progress he had witnessed within the squad over the past few years.
“Going into the tournament itself; personally having worked with this group of boys for almost three years, seeing them improve and get better, I expected more,” he added.
Warning signs reportedly emerged even before Uganda kicked off their campaign. Ahead of the opening match against Tunisia, the team missed a scheduled training session amid reports of unrest within the camp.
Black, yellow, and red. Proudly raised. Your @Orange Fan of the Match. 🇺🇬#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | @OrangeMaroc pic.twitter.com/71zApJehA1
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 30, 2025
Several players were said to be unhappy after promises made to the squad were not honored, casting a shadow over preparations.
According to Mukatabala, the impact of these issues was evident as soon as the tournament began.
“Once the tournament kicked off and we played the first game you could see that something is not right. We were already at a disadvantage and a click below other teams,” he underlined.
With AFCON 2025 now firmly in the rear-view mirror, attention shifts to the future. Uganda is set to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, a historic opportunity that leaves little room for error. Mukatabala and the wider FUFA leadership have emphasized the need for honest reflection, structural improvements, and renewed focus as the technical team works to rebuild a side capable of competing on home soil.
For now, however, the pain of a failed AFCON campaign lingers, one that Mukatabala and many Ugandan fans will remember simply as a disaster.
