Football fans in Uganda have expressed frustration over the high ticket prices for matches at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, despite the underwhelming performance of the national team, the Uganda Cranes.
Many supporters feel that the increased costs do not reflect the quality of football being displayed and have called on authorities to reconsider the pricing.
With the Cranes struggling to deliver convincing performances in recent international fixtures, fans argue that the Uganda Football Federation (FUFA) should focus on improving the team’s quality rather than burdening supporters with inflated ticket prices.
“We love our national team, but the performances have been disappointing. Now, they want us to pay more for games that leave us frustrated,” said Julius Kalema, a longtime Cranes fan.
Reports indicate that ticket prices for the upcoming World Cup qualification match against Guinea, scheduled for Tuesday, March 25, are significantly high.
A regular ticket costs UGX 30,000, while a silver ticket is priced at shs50,000. Platinum tickets go for shs 150,000, with a Platinum Family package for six people costing shs 900,000 and a package for eight people priced at shs1,000,000.
Many fans have expressed frustration over these prices, with some who previously attended matches regularly now reconsidering their commitment due to financial strain.
Some supporters argue that after the team’s recent 3-1 loss to Mozambique on Thursday where two avoidable errors contributed to the defeat there is no guarantee that the upcoming match will be worth the high ticket prices.
“Football is a game of the people, and raising ticket prices means many fans will be left out,” lamented Musisi George, another football enthusiast. “If they want us to pay more, they should at least give us a reason to be excited.”
George further noted that even during the Cranes’ qualification for AFCON 2025, the team’s performance was unconvincing, making fans question whether their money is well spent on watching the national team play.
