Uganda are determined to be the best footballing nation in Africa, according to the president of the Ugandan Football Association, Moses Magogo.
In an exclusive interview with KweséESPN, the FUFA chief has outlined his ambitions for the national side but insists that governmental support is central to his vision.
"As Uganda, we are determined to be the best football national in Africa," Magogo told KweséESPN. "For us the future is bright in very many sectors of football development.
"To be the number one football nation in Africa on and off the pitch calls for a lot of work, and we are doing all that is needed.
"It has always been my objective, as FA President, to undertake development," Magogo added. "There is no shortcut to success without taking development.
"The game of football is a game of people, and we have decided that developing people through coaching, referees and administrators will help bridge the gap between us and other nations.
"We have also started youth football and women's leagues."
The FA President made it clear that the federation's relationship with the government is vital to Uganda's success, with the national side reliant on the state's financial support.
The team's travel costs, allowances, accommodation, monthly stipends for 50 players, and salaries for the Cranes coaches are currently being catered for.
"There is no way you can organize football or qualify for big tournaments like the World Cup or the Africa Cup of Nations without support from the government," Magogo continued. "We only qualified for the 2017 AFCON because the government came in and funded our campaign.
"Every time we have received money from the government we have picked up positive results.
"Qualification for the 2017 AFCON after 39 years of waiting, and now the recent qualification for the 2019 U-17 AFCON does not come by mistake," the FA chief explained.
"Our good leadership, and bringing on board many local sponsors has also made our league more competitive, which explains why teams like KCCA FC have qualified for the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup in 2017 and the group stage of the CAF Champions League in 2018."