President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has advised Uganda Cranes players to remain disciplined.

This, was during the team’s welcoming dinner held at State House in Entebbe as the side returned home from the 2019 AFCON tourney in Egypt.

The President also promised 1M US Dollars as a token of appreciation to the players and officials for reaching the round of 16, for the first time since 1978.

“Our sports people from the past have not lived a good adult life,” said the President. “I ask the players to remain disciplined, they should avoid alcohol and womanising.”

“I’m very happy that the Cranes went up to the last 16. I know we will perform better next time. I will organise 1m dollars with the government to distribute it among the players and officials. Of course, the officials will not get as much as the players.

“In runyankore we say, “Buto ekorera bukuru”; literally meaning one should work for their old age when still young. So, our sports people must prepare well so that they don’t live miserable in old age.

It should be remembered that the Cranes had a sit down strike prior to their round of 16 tie against Senegal citing unpaid bonuses.

“Government has not committed to supporting the national team seriously, but we have been doing it in a small way because we are dealing with other pressing issues like; security, education, health, roads, piped water, electricity, ICT.

“However, this small push is already bringing very good results, when we start supporting it more, imagine what our sportsmen/women can do.”