Kampala — SOCCER governing body FUFA have said they are not to blame for an incomplete list of Cranes players submitted to State House that saw six players miss a CECAFA Cup gift from President Yoweri Museveni.

The Principal Private Secretary to the President, Amelia Kyambadde, handed over $3,000 (sh6.3m) each for eight players last Friday as fulfilment of a pledge Museveni made when he hosted the team to a dinner May 4.

After the dinner for the victorious Cranes, only 12 of the 18 who won the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup registered to get the reward. Federation chief executive Edgar Watson said it was handled by State House, and they were not involved. "We only learnt that the players got some money from State House in the press. Our problem is that other players not getting may cause divisions in the team."

Tournament top scorer Brian Umony and defender Ismail Kazibwe attended the dinner but missed as they did not register their names as the president had asked.

Team captain Andy Mwesigwa, Vincent Kayizzi, Geoffrey Massa and Caesar Okhuti who did not attend the dinner, also missed out.

"I did not know anything. I wonder how I was left out," Kazibwe complained.

Assistant captain Simeon Masaba led a group of eight that received the cash. These were Abel Dhaira, Edward Ssali, Hamza Muwonge, Derrick Walulya, Owen Kasule, Habib Kavuma and Robert Kimuli. Stephen Bengo, Patrick Ochan, Joseph Owino and Mudde Musa were on the list but did not pick the money.

Efforts to contact State House for a comment were futile as the President's press secretary Tamale Mirundi's phone was off.