State House, yesterday, revealed that President Museveni directed government to release $210,000 (Shs771m) for Uganda's Afcon qualification trip to Comoros Island.

The Ugandan Football Federation, (FUFA) had sought support from the Head of State to prepare for a match Uganda must win to enhance its chances of qualifying for the Nations Cup for the first time in 39 years.

Museveni's press secretary Lindah Nabusayi made the announcement on her facebook account. It read: "President Museveni has announced a government donation of $210,000 to the Uganda Cranes team for AFCON 2017 away qualifier in Comoros on the 5th September 2015."

Fufa president Moses Magogo had earlier told Daily Monitor that the team required $210,000 to adequately prepare for the Comoros game.

Uganda won its opening match in Group D beating Botswana 2-0 at Namboole in June.

In recent months, President Museveni has financed a series of sports teams. He bankrolled the netball and the basketball teams for global and continental events respectively.

In April, he gave golfers Shs3m each for winning East Africa Challenge Trophy, Africa Zone VI.