This archive report was first published on 5 July 2020.
Uganda's national football team made a surprising run to the last 16 in Egypt last July, but their campaign was marred by a payment row with players refusing to train at one point.
According to team captain Denis Onyango, the players were invited to a gathering with President Yoweri Museveni at State House in Entebbe, where the head of state made the pledge.
However, Onyango said the team has tried all means of getting to Museveni but failed, and are now seeking clarity on the pledge.
Onyango, who was voted the best African-based player of 2016, said the cash pledged would be shared among the players and help them deal with the financial struggles caused by the Covid-19 outbreak.
Uganda has recorded 805 Covid-19 cases and no deaths, and while the country has begun easing its lockdown, football has yet to resume.
Onyango told Reuters in a phone interview from South Africa, where he plays for Mamelodi Sundowns in the country's top league, 'We were invited to the State House and he promised us something. We've tried all means of getting to him but we failed.'
President Museveni's press secretary, Don Wanyama, said the players' message has reached the president and a reminder has been sent to respond to it.
