KAMPALA, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) on Saturday confirmed that the U-17 team will take part in the 2018 CECAFA U-17 Championship in Bujumbura, Burundi.

"We shall send our national U-17 team for the Championship because such events give our youngsters good exposure," Edgar Watson, the Uganda FA Chief Executive Officer told Xinhua.

Uganda will have the chance to defend the title they won in 2009 when it was last held in Sudan.

Micholas Musonye, the secretary general of the Council for East and Central African Football Associations (CECAFA) confirmed that the championship will take place April 1-15.

Musonye also confirmed that the world football governing body, FIFA will boost the event with financial assistance.

"We expect to have a very competitive tournament since most of our members have good U-17 teams that have been eager to play competitive football. I think all member nations will be eager to send their teams," added Msuonye.

The member countries expected to have teams for the competition include Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia and Eritrea.

After the U-17 tournament, the regional body hopes to stage the CECAFA Women's Championship, Kagame CECAFA Club Championship and the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup.