In preparation for the highly anticipated second round of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League and StarTimes FUFA Big League, the Federation organized a three day refresher course and fitness test for Elite Referees and their Assessors at the FUFA Technical Center in Njeru.

This refresher course and fitness test ran from Thursday 27 January 29, 2022, to Saturday 29 January 2022.

Fifty one Center Referees and Assistant Referees together with thirty one Assessors took part in the course.

The areas of priority and concern included; Amended Laws of the Game, Positioning and game management, Offside, Physical fitness, Food and Nutrition, Disciplinary and integrity.

The instructors were Brian Nsubuga Miiro, Batte Dennis, Adipo Catherine, Waiswa Ali, Lukambi Denis, Tomusange Ali, Kaddu Badru and Ali Kalyango.

According to the Chairman FUFA Referees Standing Committee Brian Miiro Nsubuga, this refresher course was essential as everyone prepares for the second round of the Elite Leagues because of the need to emphasize Integrity, Fitness and Performance of the match officials.

‘This refresher course was vital because of the numerous aspects we had to review and preview. Many laws of the game were amended for the 2021/2022 season, we also had a lot of challenges in line with the positives picked in the first round thus applying the SWOT analysis to help us improve for the good of the game.’ Nsubuga remarked.

Nsubuga added that in this course they also viewed various action clips where they discussed together and also interpreted various laws as a group which encourages bonding amongst the whistlemen.

Attendance:

Referees: Sabilla Ali Chelangat, Ssali Mashood, Oloya William, Olemu George, Nanadda Shamirah, Murungi Diana, Kasalirwe Lucky Razake, Kalinnala John Bosco, Ainebyoona Amon, Opio Deogratious Oguti, Bakasambe Rajab, Waiswa Muzamiru Kinene, Atiku Rahuman, Ochom Joseph, Ssemeere Asadu, Kimbowa Richard, Tumusiime Gerald Tuge, Naigaga Habiba, Akoyi Anna and Omara Paul

Assistant Referees: Okello Dick, Katenya Ronald, Okello Lee, Masembe Isa, Mulindwa Hakim, Nantabo Lydia Wanyama, Okudra Emmanuel, Nakitto Marex Nkumbi, Mutonyi Jane, Atuhaire Docus, Mafumu Mustaphar, Kakembo Ahmed, Nassolo Elizabeth, Ngyendo Gilbert Tumuhirwe, Friday Noah, Agir Tonny, Lulenzi Sharif, Ijaga Muzamiru, Omunyira Mathias, Mbabaali Samuel, Sekayuba Fahadi, Robson John Atusinguza, Okwnga Mario, Musisi Branson, Osire Juma, Oriada Hakim, Achiro Immaculate, Kiiza Aisha, Ongiera Immaculate, Aweki Kevin and Gumisiriza Timothy Karusigarira

Assessors: Ayebare James, Turyomuriwe Samuel, Matovu Sulaiman, Kabali Grace Charles, Tomusange Ali Mulumba, Ssonko Mark, Kanakulya Khalifan Ndawula, Kayiwa Abdallah Salim, Nkono Amin Bbosa, Kityo Ssozi Ali Asuman, Kakooza Emmy John, Mutaka Sseka, Yoacel Nickson, Draman Ashadulah, Mwanje Joseph Ssebowa, Batte Denis, Kimera Rashid Bogere, Ssemambo Aisah, Oula David, Ojwee Dennis, Katabira Davies Davis, Rwamuyamba Rosebell, Kimbugwe Godfrey Hillary

Instructors: Brian Miiro Nsubuga, Matovu Akram, Kalyango Ali, Batte Denis, Adipo Catherine, Waiswa Ali, Lukambi Denis, Tomusange Ali, Kaddu Badru and Kalyango Ali

Circumstances of the case handled by the FUFA Referees Disciplinary Panel

Upon receipt of the Match reports and upon review of the recorded match video of the 2021/22 Uganda Premier League Match (Match # 101) Onduparaka FC Vs KCCA FC played on 27^th December 2021 at Green light stadium, the recorded match video was forwarded to the Referees Technical Panel which provided an expert opinion on the decision rendered by the Centre referee Ronald Madanda.

The recorded match videos and related reports were forwarded to the Centre referee and first assistant Kalule Michael and both officials were given an opportunity to be heard.

Evidence Considered

1. The Referees Technical & Development Panel made the following observations:

(Panel: Katabira David, Adipo Catherine & Shaban Mohammad Ndawula)

Incident-1 (45^th Penalty awarded to Onduparaka (Green/White):

1. The ball touched the KCCA FC(Yellow/Blue) player’s body(stomach)
2. The Referees’ positioning, movement and reading of the game was poor
3. There was no foul warranting a penalty

Incident-2 (90⁺ 7 Penalty awarded to KCCA FC (Yellow/Blue):

1. There was body contact (holding and pushing) by the Onduparaka FC’s player (Defender) against the KCCA FC’s player (Attacker) inside the 18-yard box despite the simulation of innocence by the Onduparaka FC player.
2. The Referee was poorly positioned due to his poor movement(s) and game reading. He is seen arriving late from a distance(far) when a KCCA FC player is already fouled on the ground.
3. The Referee made a correct call for a Penalty as there was a foul.

Centre Referee Madanda Ronald: Upon review of the video and to his own admission, the Centre referee Mr. Madanda Ronald accepted to have wrongly awarded the home team Onduparaka FC a penalty at the 45^th Minute.

The 1^st Assistant Referee Mr. Kalule Michael

To his own admission, he did not have an input in the award of the 45^th minute penalty and that if he was the Centre Referee, he would not have awarded such a penalty. He also accepted to have alerted the Centre Referee for the 90⁺ 7^th minute penalty as to him it was indeed a penalty

Findings

Upon critical analysis of the evidence, assessors report, video recordings, opinion of the FUFA Referees technical panel and the statements from the centre referees and first assistant referee, the referees disciplinary Panel observed the following findings: – 

1. That the Centre Referee Mr Madanda Ronald severally failed to correctly interpret and apply the FIFA Laws of the Game and consequently did not officiate the match to the minimum standards required and expected from the FIFA Referee.
2. The incorrect decisions of Mr. Madanda Ronald had an impact on the sporting results of the match.

Decision

Accordingly, as a corrective measure, the Referees Disciplinary Panel found that the Centre Referee Mr. Madanda Ronald failed to justify the poor officiation which gravely affected match number 101 and he is hereby sanctioned with: –

1. A suspension from officiating football at all levels until 30^th June 2022 for unjustified poor officiation, the suspension comes into force immediately.
2. The matter is further forwarded to the Investigation Chamber of the Ethics Committee to further investigate whether the incorrect decisions of Mr Madanda Ronald in Match # 101 were intended to influence the results of the and be dealt in accordance with the FUFA Ethics Code.

The FUFA Competitions Disciplinary Panel, FUFA Investigations Chamber and FUFA Referees Disciplinary Panel have made made decisions in regard to the abandoned Uganda Premier League match No. 101 between Onduparaka FC and KCCA FC on 27th December 2021 at the Green Light Stadium.

Sanctions for Onduparaka FC for breaching Article 31(10) (b), Article 31 (10)a and Article 31(10) (f) (iii) of the FUFA Competitions Rules which high light acts of hooliganism, abandonment of a match, order and security both inside and outside the stadium before, during and after matches.

Decision

The FUFA CDP sanctions Onduparaka FC for violation of the FUFA Competitions rules and regulations with:

1. Whereas the Competitions Rules and Regulations provide for a deduction of three (3) points and three (3) goals for the intense hooliganism and violence, Onduparaka FC is hereby sanctioned with;
2. an immediate deduction of two (2) points and two (2) goals from those already accumulated by the club;
3. a suspended one (1) point and one (1) goal deduction and;
4. a suspended closed stadium sanction for home games.
5. The CDP hereby orders a REPLAY of Match # 101 between Onduparaka FC vs KCCA FC which shall enable the results of the match to be determined sportingly.
6. The above replay shall be at a neutral venue already licensed for the Uganda Premier League matches. The venue and date of the replay shall be decided and communicated by the Uganda Premier League Secretariat.
7. Onduparaka FC remains with the responsibility of the match day organisation of the replay ordered in par (3) above as the Home Team
8. FUFA shall give a contribution of UGX 2,500,000 (Uganda shillings Two million Five Hundred Thousand) to each club and shall forward the said monies to the respective club accounts for that purpose.
9. In regard to the destruction of property owned by KCCA FC and its officials, the CDP hereby forwards the matter to the FUFA Investigatory Chamber for further consideration.

Ondupaka FC Player Rashid Okocha banned with immediate effect for breaching Article 31(2) and Article 31(3) as he attacked a match official and is a re repetitive offender.

The FUFA CDP

1. Suspends Rashid Okocha from all football activities effective 31^st December 2021 until 31^st May 2022.
2. A Cash fine of UGX 1,000,000(Uganda Shillings one million) to be paid into the FUFA ACCOUNT ACCOUNT NO.7210000969 ECO BANK NDEEBA BRANCH and bring proof of payment of the same to the committee.
3. The above fine is to be paid by 31^st May 2022 and failure to pay shall lead to automatic suspension until the fine is paid in full.
4. Should Mr. Rashid Okocha fail to heed to the sanctions above, the CDP shall be constrained to take stronger disciplinary measures against all parties involved.

Onduparaka FC CEO Edson Saba Saba suspended from football activities for 90 days

The preliminary investigations conducted and with support of the match report indicate that Edson Saba Saba incited violence amongst the fans by telling them not to get out of the field of play and he protested the penalty with threatening words and gestures. Saba Saba alos hurled insults at match officials and incited violence against them and the above actions are contrary to the FUFA Competitions Rules and Regulations.

Accordingly the FUFA Investigation Chamber of the Ethics Committee hereby;

1. Provisionally suspends Edson Saba Saba from all football related activities (administrative, sports or any other) for 90 days. The suspension comes into force immediately.
2. The duration of the suspension may be extended for an additional period not exceeding 45 days.
3. The provisional suspension of  Edson Saba Saba is principally based on the investigations relating to alleged breach of the FUFA Competition Rules and inciting violence against the match officials. The provisional suspension is premised on the match reports and recorded statements.

Referee Ronald Madanda suspended from football activities until 20th June 2022.

The Referees Disciplinary Panel found that the Centre Referee Madanda Ronald failed to justify the poor officiating which gravely affected match number 101 and he is hereby sanctioned with;

1. A suspension from officiating football at all levels until 30^th June 2022 for unjustified poor officiation, the suspension comes into force immediately.

2. The matter is further forwarded to the Investigation Chamber of the Ethics Committee to further investigate whether the incorrect decisions of Mr Madanda Ronald in Match # 101 were intended to influence the results of the and be dealt in accordance with the FUFA Ethics Code.

FIFA has sent written communication to all its 211 Member Associations (MAs) with guidelines on the latest WADA list of banned drugs and substances. The Communication from FIFA requires all its MAs to share the list as approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).  

FIFA is urging the players and officials to keep the beautiful game as clean as possible and play fairly.

FUFA CEO Edgar Watson signed off the communication Circular 1154 dated 31^st December 2021 and sent to all the Clubs, licensed players and other football stakeholders.

List of Prohibited drugs, substances and methods

The Communication

NATIONAL ANTI-DOPING ORGANISATION (NADO) AND WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY (WADA) LIST OF PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AND METHODS

Please refer to the above-mentioned subject matter to which we hereby inform you that FIFA released the WADA 2022 list of prohibited substances and methods which all Clubs and teams participating in Association Football should respect and abide by.

Clubs, Players and other Stakeholders in football are hereby reminded that by participating in Association football under the jurisdiction of FUFA, CAF, CECAFA, FIFA Competitions (and any other) they are obliged to abide by the WADA regulations which FUFA adopted.

In Uganda, the National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) is active and therefore, players licensed by FUFA shall be subjected to random tests at different venues that may include training grounds, match venues, team accommodation sites etc.

FUFA is aware of this process but has no direct operational involvement or mandate to interfere with the procedures and actions when instituted by NADO.

Clubs, Players and all Stakeholders are henceforth duly informed and advised to cooperate if NADO Officials appear at the mentioned possible venues to test any of the player/s.

In this case, FUFA requests all stakeholders to take interest in reading the regulations and guidelines on the prohibited substances and methods. We also encourage you to orient officials, players and ensure the List of prohibited substances and methods are adhered to.

Regulations can be obtained from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) official website https://www.wada-ama.org/

For further inquiries about the National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) of Uganda, please feel free to contact Dr. Aya Nakitanda on email nakitanda.aya@gmail.com.

This comes into effect 1^st January 2022.

It is the objective of FUFA and its members to oversee the growth of professional football in Uganda.

FUFA has identified that there are opportunities and challenges with in the dream to create a professional football industry in Uganda.

The FUFA Professional Leagues are:

1. Uganda Premier League
2. FUFA Big League
3. FUFA Women Super League

In order to address the challenges and harness the opportunities, FUFA has recruited Mr. Mubiru Shawn as the FUFA Professional Leagues’ Manager effective 1st January 2022. Mr. Mubiru will report to the FUFA Competitions Director.

‘Although many persons were approached for this new position at FUFA, considering his expertise and experience, Shawn Mubiru has been recruited by head hunting. We believe he will add more value to the game and this specific area of the FUFA Professional Leagues’ noted FUFA Communications Director Ahmed Hussein.

The Roles of the Professional Leagues’ Manager are;

1. Work hand-in-hand with the UPL and the Professional Clubs
2. Design, install and implement the FUFA Strategy on Professional Leagues
3. Undertake FUFA Licensing
4. Undertake FUFA Clubs’ Pro Agenda
5. Undertake the implementation of the FUFA Community Clubs Programme
6. Engage and assist to design the long-term strategies of the Professional Clubs where none exists
7. Evaluate and recommend changes to the long-term strategies of the Professional Clubs where they exist
8. Design and implement the regulations for the issuance of the FUFA Professional Club Certificate