Ugandans Fume Over Ghetto-like Uganda Cranes Hotel Allegedly Owned by Speaker Anita Among

The Uganda Cranes’ accommodation woes during the ongoing CHAN 2024 tournament have once again thrown the spotlight on the controversial Crane’s Paradise Hotel in Kisaasi, a facility allegedly linked to Speaker of Parliament Hon. Anita Among.

A video that went viral last week showed national team players navigating a dusty, ghetto-like setup around the hotel, sparking outrage among patriotic fans who questioned why Uganda’s team was subjected to such conditions while visiting sides were housed in four- and five-star hotels.

Part of the Cranes Paradise Hotel Kisasi

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) quickly distanced itself from the procurement of the facility, saying responsibility lay with the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF). According to LOC spokesperson Dr. Dennis Mugimba, CAF covers the players’ accommodation using part of the \$13 million Uganda government injected into the tournament.

Still, many Ugandans pointed fingers at the choice of the hotel, which has a long history of controversy.

A Hotel Under Fire Since 2020

This is not the first time the Cranes have been taken to Crane’s Paradise Hotel. In November 2020, New Vision reported that the players were lodged at the facility while it was still under construction. The paper ran a stinging headline: “Uganda Cranes’ players sleep at ‘building site’.” Journalists who visited the camp then found workers fixing windows in rooms occupied by players and builders on the extension wing of the hotel.

A year later, in 2021, the same hotel was again used for the team’s camp ahead of a qualifier. Reports at the time noted that the players had complained about construction noise and a lack of basic amenities.

Despite this history, FUFA has continued to defend the choice, with officials once remarking that the facility had a “patriotic name.”

Allegations of Conflict of Interest

Public criticism has grown sharper this time, largely because of the alleged ownership of the hotel. Crane’s Paradise Hotel is widely believed to be linked to Speaker Anita Among. Her husband, Moses Magogo, is the current FUFA president, fueling suspicions of a conflict of interest in the decision to house the national team there.

Social media commentators were quick to highlight the connection. One viral post accused the Speaker of treating the Cranes as a “money-making project,” arguing that instead of prioritizing player comfort, her family benefited financially from the deal.

Fans Decry Double Standards

The backlash has also been fueled by comparisons. While Uganda Cranes players walk through dusty paths to reach their rooms, visiting teams in the same tournament are lodged in internationally rated hotels with swimming pools, gyms, and full-board services.

“Uganda Cranes deserved to sleep at a better place,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter). Another argued that repeated complaints over the hotel showed “a lack of respect” for the team that carries Uganda’s flag.

Looking Ahead

With the Cranes still battling for a place in the knockout stages, attention has shifted from the pitch to the boardroom. Questions remain about why a hotel that has faced repeated criticism continues to be used for the national team — and whether patriotism, politics, or profit is driving the decision.

For now, fans hope that the controversy does not overshadow the players’ preparations, but the debate over Crane’s Paradise Hotel shows no signs of fading. The Cranes who top Group C will be taking on South Africa who are closer behind. A win over the Bafana Bafana will see Morley Byekwaso’s side progress to the knockout stages