Football fraternity mourns death of Fufa VP Mugoye 

Ugandan football fraternity is mourning the death of Darius Mugoye, the former second vice president of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) in a brief media statement indicates that Mugoye died at Mengo hospital.

“We are saddened by the news of the demise of the Fufa 2nd vice president Mr Darius Mugoye which happened today morning (Tuesday 7th November 2023) at Mengo hospital. Our dear vice president will be missed dearly in the Fufa, education, and football circles,” reads the statement.

Mugoye has been an executive member of Fufa and has been serving as the Fufa second vice president to Fufa president Moses Magogo for the third term. Previously he was a delegate under former Fufa president Lawrence Mulindwa. He previously took the lead as a deputy to Justus Mugisha on the seven-member ad-hoc committee established by Fufa to oversee Uganda’s joint bid for co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).  

The news of his passing has ignited outpouring grief on social media platforms, with retired and current Uganda Cranes players, football administrators, and football clubs all expressing their condolences and sharing their memories of his contributions to the football community. 

Uganda Cranes midfielder Khalid Aucho said “Very sad morning to the football family of Uganda. Innalillahi wa innalilehi Rajun” 

“Anguished by the passing away of second (2nd) Fufa vice president, Darius Mugoye. His dedicated contributions to the beautiful game and education sector in Uganda will be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends,” former Uganda Cranes captain Denis Onyango posted on his X account (formerly Twitter).

“It’s a dark cloud following the demise of Fufa VP Darius Mugoye. We have lost a man who has contributed immensely to the development of football in Uganda. My condolences go to the football fraternity, Moses Magogo. Rest The Well,” said Asan Kasingye.  

“We are deeply saddened by the news of the demise of our brother Mr. Darius Mugoye, the Fufa 2nd vice president. Darius was a very reliable, dependable, committed, and trustworthy friend who we shall dearly miss! He made tremendous contributions to the sports and education sectors and left a huge gap. My sympathies go to his family, friends, Fufa family, and the sports fraternity. May his soul rest in eternal peace.” speaker of parliament Anita Among posted on X.

According to Fufa, a vigil will be held this evening at the Fufa Complex in Mengo, followed by a church service at Namirembe Cathedral on Wednesday before the final burial in Ruhanga, Sheema on Thursday. Mugoye was the owner of St. Mary’s Club which played in the Kampala Regional League.

He also served as the treasurer of Kawempe District Football Association between 2008-2012 and secretary of Zone 9 (now Kampala Region FA) in 2012 until his appointment as the Fufa executive in 2013. Mugoye was also a delegate in the Fufa assembly representing Kampala Region FA in 2013.

In 2013, he was voted Fufa 2nd vice president during the Fufa assembly held in Jinja. He served as secretary Fufa Licensing Board in 2013 and chairman Fufa competitions committee from 2013 to 2017.

Additionally, he was the chairperson of the Fufa Women Adhoc Football Committee for all women’s football competitions in 2015 and oversaw the start of the Fufa Women Elite League (now Fufa Women Super League).

He was chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 2019 Cecafa U20 Championship held in Gulu and at Fufa Technical Centre, Njeru. In 2017, Mugoye served as the vice chairman of the Fufa Adhoc Committee that was assigned to bring back football glory days in Northern Uganda.

In 2022, he was appointed by the Fufa president as head of the Fufa Stakeholders, Strategic Relations and Innovations Committee 2022 during the restructuring of the Internal operations of the Fufa executive. At the time of his death, he had been chairman of the Fufa Sacco since its inception in 2021.