Bunamwaya SC and Uganda Cranes attacking midfielder Owen Kasule has finally realized his professional dream after completing transfer procedures to join one of Vietnamese V League top clubs, Hoang Ahn Gia Lai FC.
Owen started his footballing career with first division Nakawa United where Coach Mayanja Jackson spotted his talent and recruited him into KCC during the 2006/07 mid season registration period.
While at KCC, he formed a formidable partnership with the likes of Umony Brian, Ssentongo Godfrey, Kamoga Ronald, Senoga Sam and Mubiru Sam among other teammates, eventually winning the 2007/08 GTV sponsored super league. George “Best” Nsimbe was in charge of KCC however, Owen didn’t stay at KCC to enjoy the fruits of his hard labour. He shortly joined Bunamwaya SC the following season missing KCC’s splendid performances in the 2009 CAF Champions league. The team played the likes of Ferrovario de Maputo and Super Sport United without Kasule’s services.
Owen continued with his impressive performances at Bunamwaya SC guiding the club to its first ever Super League trophy in 2009/10 league season with a contribution of 12 league goals and 10 assists. His performance earned him a national team call by head coach Bobby Williamson. Owen Kasule becomes the third Bunamwaya sports club player to ply his trade in Vietnam in a space of one year following earlier moves of Saddam Juma Ibrahim and Ceasar Samson Okhuti. Okhuti is however now back at Bunamwaya SC after his loan spell at Bin Dhong Vissal elapsed.
According to Bunamwaya club Secretary Haruna Kyobe, the player signed a two year contract where he will be earning 5000 US dollars monthly on top of a winning 2000 US dollars bonus for every win Gia Lai posts in the V league. Further to that, Owen is entitled to 1000 US dollars for every league goal he scores and a well furnished apartment for his stay in Vietnam. Hoang Ahn Gia Lai has an attachment to English premier league club Arsenal “The Gunners” where players with exceptional talents are enrolled into Arsenal’s reserve team for trials.
Bunamwaya SC has also pocketed 15000 US dollars from this transfer as a compensation for Owen’s last 7 months which had remained on his terminated contract.
The Federation Competitions Committee has put off the Big League clash between Misindye and Kwania and pushed it forward to December 17.
The FCC Secretary Decolas Kiiza said his office had received a request from Kwania Football club asking for a change in fixture due to the end of year examinations that will be going on at the Uganda College of Commerce around the same time. Kiiza said the reasons advanced to the committee were genuine since most of their players were students in this institution and would be writing their final examinations.
“The Fufa Big League rules (G[1]) empowers my committee to take such decisions and the match will now be played on Saturday December 17 at Namboole stadium”. Kiiza clarified adding that the kick off time remained 4:30pm.
This will now be the last match before we break off for the festive season. This Saturday, Boroboro Tigers host Ndejje University in Lira, Wandegeya travels to play Mbale Heroes and Kirinya hosts Soroti garage in Kakindu stadium. On December 15, Ndejje University will host Misindye, Sharing Youth plays Iganga Municipality, Old Timers will be visiting CRO in Mbale and Jinja Municipality will host Entebbe at Kakindu ground.
Meanwhile on Thursday this week, Kwania lost 3-2 to Ndejje University in Luweero, Aurum Roses picked a 2-0 win away against Joggo Young, Koboko and Kira Young played to a goalless draw while Sharing Youth edged Kirinya 1-0. Elsewhere, Victoria University and Misindye shared points after a 2-2 draw, Soroti Garage lost their home game 0-1 to CRO, Jinja Municipality forced a 1-all draw against Wandegeya, Old Timers won 2-1 against Entebbe and Iganga Municipality beat Mbale Heroes 2-1.
Talib Hilal, a FIFA instructor and coach of Oman’s National Beach Football team, has been picked by FIFA to conduct a week-long coaches’ course here in the Uganda starting on December 12.
Talib, will be expected in Uganda on December 10 to commence with his work on Monday day. The Federation CEO, Edgar Watson commended the world football body FIFA, for the choice to send Talib whom he said had a vast experience in beach soccer that would widely benefit the local federation.
A total of 30 participants have been selected to take part in this course, the first of its kind in the country. “It’s a good choice for us and we wait with eagerness to receive him” said Watson. Talib will be accommodated at Imperial Botanical Hotel.
Under Talib, Oman has blossomed in beach football and their national team qualified for the 2011 FIFA World Cup Beach Soccer held in Ravenna, Italy earlier this year. The instructor conducted a similar course in Yemen in 2010.
Last year, Oman Beach team finished on top in the inaugural GCC Beach Games in Bahrain. The same coach also led Oman to a gold medal win at the inaugural Asian Beach Games in Bali in 2008.
Watson said the course would be conducted from the Fisheries Training Institute in Entebbe with the practical sessions at Lido beach. Beach soccer is two-year old Uganda with Kabalangala Rangers as the champions of this year’s league. (Posted by Rogers Mulindwa, Head of Communications-FUFA)
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has directed that the kick off of the Uganda Super League Reserve competition be put on hold until some urgent requirements are fulfilled. The Federation has cited a number of irregularities in its organisation.
Elsewhere, Uganda’s National Women Team now code named “Crested Cranes” will travel to Egypt next week for an international friendly match against the home side on December 14. The team is preparing for the 8th Africa women championship where they play DR Congo in January 2012.
The USL Reserve league is a very brilliant idea but the issues to do with rules, licenses and logistics among others have not yet been put clear before the Federation. “It is a good product but the manner in which it was put in place will not serve the purpose. We do not want to push out a baby and it dies after just weeks,” Mujib Kasule, the FA Vice President in charge of USL said. The Federation doesn’t have any intentions to block the competition and it will be cleared as soon as our concerns are addressed by the organizers.
Meanwhile Hoima FC have tendered in an appeal to the FUFA Appeals Committee on the financial fine imposed on them by the USL upon reinstating them in the Premier League. The appeal is on the UG Shs. 30m required of them by USL as a fine. The Appeals Committee chaired by a Kampala prominent Lawyer Richard Kiboneka sits soon to pronounce itself on this appeal.
Contrary to FUFA directive for Busia-based merger club to be accepted in the top flight competition, USL last week kept them out of action arguing that they had failed to pay sh32m as required by the organizers. This provoked Hoima to petition FUFA for an intervention.
The club had reportedly presented a Kenyan bank cheque as commitment to USL chairman Kavuma Kabenge just before the deadline, which he rejected and demanded for cash on their account.
In another development, a referees’ fitness test will be conducted for referees who will officiate the Super League matches. It is scheduled for Saturday 10th December 2011 starting 7:00am in Mandela National Stadium. The exercise will be conducted by FRSC in presence of Fitness Instructor Haruna Kebba Haruna. Chief Executive Officer Edgar Watson warned that no referee would be appointed to handle a league match without passing this fitness test.
FUFA Disciplinary Committee has suspended SC Villa player Denis Guma from all the Federation organized matches for a period of one month for mysteriously disappearing from the National team camp on November 6 this year.
The Cranes player will also have to miss three consecutive super League matches with his registered club of SC Villa as part of the punishment. In addition, he is required to pay a fine of Shs.500.000 (Five Hundred thousand shillings) before being cleared to play subsequent games.
Guma disappeared from the Cranes camp just days before the team travelled to Casablanca in Morocco for the LG cup. Speaking about the verdict, the Federation CEO Edgar Watson said this would serve as an example to other players and help instill discipline among them. It had earlier been alleged that Guma sneaked out of the camp to travel abroad for professional trials but to our surprise, he featured for his club in a league match a day after the national team had left.
Edgar further added that such disciplinary actions had helped tame other players before. He cited examples of Cranes players Tonny Mawejje, Abubaker Tabula and Mike Serumagga who suffered a six months suspension from all football activities for the same offence between 2006 and 2008. Striker Serumagga and Tabula were suspended for absconding from the Cranes team that prepared to play a friendly game against Libya while Mawejje escaped from the camp as the team prepared for a Nations Cup qualifier.
Uganda finished second in the four nations LG Cup last month behind Cameroon and won U$ 30.000 (about UG Shs78m) in prize money. (Issued by Rogers Mulindwa, Head of Communications-FUFA)
FUFA Chief Executive Officer Edgar Watson (left) and his counterpart for USL Ebily Ssegawa. USL is still hesitant to work with FUFA in harmony.
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has learnt of an intention by the Uganda Super League (USL) to start up a licensing body, an act the football umbrella in the country regards unacceptable by all standards.
FUFA has seen copies of the e-mails being circulated by the USL to clubs requiring them to set up this body. The documents under circulation are also intended to have USL establish own rules on licensing.
The FIFA Regulations for the Club Licensing are however very clear on the roles, criteria and procedure of managing the club licensing from FIFA to CAF and to Member Associations, Uganda inclusive. FUFA Vice president in charge of administration Eng. Moses Magogo therefore says, ‘Not until FUFA in its discretion delegates this responsibility to the USL, they cannot have the mandate to do so’.
VP-Administration, Eng. Moses Magogo says USL officials are trading on a slippery ground.
But this can only happen if USL applies to FUFA to obtain the delegated responsibilities, then FUFA in turn applies to CAF and if an approval given, that is when this can be executed but still with FUFA approving their rules.
This would not be an issue but the whole complication arises from the fact that the USL officials are failing to appreciate how football structures work or they intentionally bent on undermining the FUFA authority and there undermine legitimacy which leads to wrangles all the time. USL are also bent on determining which teams play in the league by acquiring their own licensing agenda and therefore undermine FUFA’s role as detailed in the USL MEMARTS that USL Membership shall only be changed with written consent of the Special Shareholder (FUFA)
We would therefore wish to advise that USL respects the FIFA and CAF statutes as they continue executing the duties of managing the National league as mandated by FUFA. Such provocative actions that contravene the FIFA/CAF standards will not only antagonize the game but also create a bad impression on our country and federation in particular.
The FUFA Licensing Board was set up as a requirement of the Jinja Declaration. In pursuant to Article 53 of the FUFA Constitution, the FUFA executive committee enacted the Club Licensing regulations for all FUFA managed and authorised Competitions in the country. Among the key objectives of setting up the licensing board is to set minimum standards in football, enforce good football governance by safeguarding the credibility and integrity of club competitions and enforce clubs financial stability and transparency among others.
Former FUFA vice president in charge of youth programs, Justus Mugisha is the new chairman of this board.
(Posted by Rogers Mulindwa, Head of communications-FUFA)
The North East Regional League that kicked off on November 18 resumes this coming Monday, December 5.
Table leaders Bukedea Arrows FC with six points will host Kumi United at Bukedea Primary School. Kick off time is 16:00hrs. According to the Zone 1 chairperson Ibrahim Maraka, the tournament is progressing well with Ngora Freda Car FC in a second place. Maraka called for discipline among the players, officials and fans and warned that disciplinary actions would be taken against any culprits.
The newly appointed zonal chairperson also called upon other sports stakeholders in the region to mobilize the fans to watch these games.
In the past games, Ngora Freda Car walloped Bukedea Arrows 4-1 while Kumi United and Bukedea Town council played to a goalless draw last Monday. Amuria Crane City edged Ngora Freda Car 1-0 after the later had lost 2-1 to Bukedea Town council.
FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa consults his executive members before one of their retreat sessions at Katomi Kingdom Resort Hotel
The two day retreat for the FUFA Executive Committee at Katomi Kingdom Resort Hotel wound up on Sunday evening with the appointment of 84 individuals to different standing committees of the Federation.
The exercise was conducted during an executive committee meeting held shortly after the official closure of the retreat by the FA President Lawrence Mulindwa. The members had about four hours of intensive deliberations before a final list was agreed on.
The President said the appointments take immediate effect and urged the new office bearers to dedicate enough time towards their responsibilities. A total of sixteen (16) committees were named leaving out all the judicial bodies that would be named shortly. “Let’s continue making some consultations on the judicial bodies to avoid bringing on board non committal individuals” Mulindwa told his executive.
Kimuli ANthony (Finance)Ogwel Patrick (Youth)Lwere Sam (Security)
FIFA certified administration instructor Justus Mugisha was named chairperson of the FUFA Licensing Board deputized by Balenzi Fred. Both Mugisha and Balenzi served in the FUFA executive committee before.
Other members on this committee include Mugoye Darius (secretary),
Stone Kyambadde (Technical)Rogers Mulindwa (Media and Public Relations)
Tomusange Ali andex-international player Sam Kabugo. A new committee named, FUFA Member Associations
Isa Magoola (Competitions)Amin Bbosa (Sec Security)
Development Committee will be chaired by Eng. Moses Magogo with Ex-international player Paul Ssali as the vice chairperson. Unlike others with only five members, this committee has nine members. These include Tamale Haruna, Okello Hannington, Hajji Badru Ssekabira, Higenyi Paul, Mutyaba Joseph, Mutebwa Musa and Kabwimukya George.
Mike Leti (Players' Status)Sam Mpima (Sec Marketing)
Kampala’s newly appointed zonal chairperson, Hamid Juma heads the Futsal Committee with Nkumba University Sports Lecturer Patrick Ssebuliba and Mutabaazi Deo as his vice chairperson and secretary respectively. Dr Ssekajugo James was retained as head of the Sports Medicine Committee as Letti Mike moves from technical to head the players’ status committee. Ssendyowa Abbas remains in charge of the referees standing committee but retired FIFA referee Mohammad Ssegonga becomes a committee member.
Kalibbala Chris maintains his portfolio as chairperson of the Women committee and Mariam Kaliga takes the deputy’s seat. Sserwadda Meddie is the committee secretary. Others that retained their positions as committee chairpersons include Kimuli Anthony (Finance), Byamukama Rogers (Marketing and sponsorship), Ogwel Patrick (Youth), Mulindwa Rogers (Media and Public Relations), Lwere Sam (Security) and Joseph Mwanje (Protocol). Livingstone Kyambadde was also retained as technical committee head but will now be deputized by new entrant and proline FC Director Mujib Kasule.
Isa Magoola will be in charge of the competition committee. Decolas Kiiza was named to replace Eng. Moses Magogo as the Competitions Committee new secretary. Bukedde Sports Editor, Kato Kawuma who formerly served as a member of the media committee becomes committee vice chairperson. Click here for the detailed standing committees lists
FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa opening up the retreat at Katomi Kingdom Resort Hotel this Saturday
The two day retreat for the FUFA Executive committee members has this Saturday morning opened here at Katomi Kingdom Resort Hotel, Garuga along the shores of Lake Victoria, about 30 miles away from Kampala City.
The retreat has attracted all the 21 members that constitute the current executive committee. In his opening remarks, FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa congratulated the new members that had made it to the Executive committee in a reshuffle made last month.
He outlined the objectives of this two day retreat and urged member to be open in all their deliberations. “We are not here for a picnic but a bigger mission aimed at building a committed
FUFA Vice Presidents, Moses Magogo, Mujib Kasule and Patrick Ogwel at the retreat
group of football administrators whose operations are based on team work” said the FA president.He also added that the retreat targeted improving service delivery by his executive.
About the changes recently made in his executive, Mulindwa called upon those relieved of their duties not to ‘fight’ the federation but continue supporting the game from their respective stations. “Those relieved of executive committee duties were not dumped, we can still deploy them elsewhere”, he stressed.
He cited an example of his former Vice president in charge of youth programs Justus Mugisha who has since remained the country’s representative to the Cecafa regional body. Mugisha was also sent to FIFA for training and he is now a certified FIFA administration instructor. Mulindwa further pointed out Balenzi Fred who after the 2009 reshuffle was sent abroad for further training in management of the artificial turf. “He is now doing us a good job at Njeru Technical centre” Mulindwa told his executive.
FUFA Executive committee members attending the retreat
During the two day stay here, all the seven vice presidents will make some presentation to the rest of the participants. Moses Magogo will take the members through issues related to football administration, Mujib Kasule (Uganda Super League), Kalibbala Chris (Women football development), Kimuli Anthony (Finance regulation and management) and Kyambadde Livingstone (technical challenges).
Other presenters will include Patrick Ogwel (Youth development), Rogers Byamukama (Marketing) and the FIFA Development instructor Justus Mugisha among others. The retreat closes Sunday afternoon. (Posted by Rogers Mulindwa-Head of Communications, FUFA)
JDC chairperson Richard Omongole (right) and Mujib Kasule in a meeting with the FUFA president (not in picture) over the weekend.
The Jinja Declaration Committee (JDC) will on Thursday November 17 start their visits to all clubs playing in the Uganda Super League to get acquainted with the challenges they face in relation to the League management. The committee targets top executive committee members of the clubs.
The resolution was reached over the weekend in a meeting with the Federation president Lawrence Mulindwa at his offices in Mengo. JDC chairman Richard Omongole, Mujib Kasule, Isa Magoola and Moses Magogo attended the meeting.
The fifth member Jimmy Ebil Ssegawa who is also the USL Chief Executive Officer did not show up.Independent sources have since alleged that Ssegawa was under instructions by former committee member and USL Board chairman Kavuma Kabenge not to attend. Officials from 13 out of the 15 clubs playing under USL recently unanimously threw Kabenge out of the JDC on grounds of inefficiency.
The meeting held about two weeks ago and attended by Mr. Ashford Mamelodi, the FIFA Development officer replaced Kabenge with newly appointed FUFA Vice President in charge of USL Mujib Kasule.
(JDC chairman, Richard Omongole shakes hands with FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa after the meeting)
The committee chairperson, Richard Omongole said they had learnt of the ongoing injustice to some clubs by the USL officials and that the clubs had got divided into two groups basing on alleged patronage. “There are those being harassed for their respect to FUFA while others are getting rewards for their disrespect to the Federation” Omongole told the weekend meeting.
The meeting was also shocked to learn that some clubs including Bidco FC, Hoima, Bunamwaya SC, Proline and Victors FC among others had not even been paid the sponsorship money they are entitled for. Other clubs have already got part of the Shs.68m earmarked for each club this season. Of this amount, Shs.50m comes from Super Sport Television and Shs.18m from Bell.
These among many others were the basis for the committee’s resolution to embark on club visits in order to assess the situation and the realities behind these allegations. The Committee is also expected to meet the USL officials as part of their exercise.
Kasule told the Communications Department last evening that arrangements had already been finalized to meet URA, Express and KCC officials between Thursday and Friday this week. “We arrange to meet the top executive members of each club separately”, said Kasule. He further added that the detailed program would be released shortly.
FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa said the committee had been given up to November 30 to conclude the exercise and report back their findings to FUFA Executive committee for appropriate actions.
(Posted by Rogers Mulindwa-Head of Communications, FUFA)
Both Coach Bobby Williamson and Rogers Mulindwa will be in Dar es salaam but on different duties
The Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) has this Monday released a list of 20 people who will constitute the delegation of officials travelling to Dar es salaam for this year’s Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup.
The delegation will be headed by the regional body President Eng Leodgar Tenga who also doubles as the President of the Tanzanian Federation.
In Uganda, Rogers Mulindwa and retired referee Charles Masembe will be part of the team. Mulindwa, the FUFA spokesperson heads the Cecafa Media committee while Masembe goes as the CAF Referees Committee representative.
In a statement issued by the Cecafa General Secretary Nicholas Musonye, the members will be tasked to ensure the smooth running of the two weeks tournament that will attract eleven senior teams and one guest team.Malawi is the only guest team invited this eyar.
Former Harambee Stars head coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee and retired referee Robert Anangwe are the two officials from neighbours Kenya while Tariq Atta and Osama Hassan have been selected from Sudan. Dr. Charles Mugemana from Rwanda will head the medical team.
Others are Abdiqan Saeed Arab, Amir Hassan (Somalia), Sheferew Eshetu (Ethiopia), Berhane Araya and Tesefaye Gabreyesus (Eritrea), Zam Ali, Ali Ferej Tamin (Zanzibar), Benard Mfubusa (Burundi), Sulaiman Hassan Waberi and Ali Kamil from Djibouti. The host federation of Tanzania will be represented by their technical Director Sunday Kayuni and Authman Nyamlani the FA marketing and Finance Manager.
The tournament kicks off on November 26 to December 10. The Uganda Cranes who lost their 2010 campaign to hosts Tanzania in the semi finals have already confirmed participation.
After close to six years at FUFA as Secretary for the competitions committee, Eng. Moses Magogo is now the FA Vice president in charge of administration. The FIFA certified Football Administration Instructor and a Computer Engineer by profession, spoke to the FA Head of Communications, Rogers Mulindwa about the challenges ahead of his new posting.
Eng. Moses Magogo, FA's new Vice President in charge Admnistration
Qtn. Did the appointment as FUFA’s new VP in charge of administration take you by surprise?
Moses. I must confess it was a big surprise for me. I talked to the president even on Wednesday Morning about competitions and there was no indication that you (Rogers) had a Statement to read about the reshuffle. I am not complaining though because the FUFA Constitution gives the person of the President absolute powers to appoint his Executive Committee
Qtn. What do you see as the biggest challenge regarding your new responsibility?
Moses. The Challenge of African Football is not Finance as we all tend to believe. It is the human resource in terms of quality and quantity. My new role puts me on the spot to ensure that systems and institutions over ride individuals in the management of football at all levels. The reason individuals have overtaken systems is because of lack of human resource in quality and quantity
Qtn. What do you look at as the most urgent administrative issue to tackle?
Moses. The operationalisation of all the five bodies of FUFA. Thus the Standing Committees (to be named soon), the Judicial bodies, the secretariat, the FUFA executive Committee and the Assembly and their terms of reference clearly spelt out, their objectives for 2012 should be laid upon which they will be judged at the end of the year. As the FUFA Executive Committee, we shall be required to facilitate these various bodies of FUFA to execute their roles. I have been assured by the President that he intends to spearhead the Executive Committee to continue with the change of personnel in the next few weeks to attempt to place the right people in the right places just as he did with the FUFA Executive Committee
Qtn. Any others?
Moses. My Office will monitor the progress of the objectives of the various bodies and will devise means where progress will be observed to be stalling. The Matter of capacity building of the human resource will be high on the agenda. I will further be involved in formulation of programmes for the various committees, departments and bodies of FUFA
Qtn. Two year in office. What would like to achieve by the end of your term?
Moses. If I asked for the time I need to put FUFA where it should be, probably I would need 10 years in that office but surely no one is gonna give me that time there. My point is that I want to start the engine and any other person may come after me to perfect it. I wish to lay down a long term overhaul of perceptions, working methods, professionalization and objective orientation of the Ugandan football Industry
Qtn. You have been the engine of the Competitions committee. Did you accomplish you target in that office?
Moses. First and foremost, allow me thank everyone who has worked with me in Competitions thus Hajjat Aisha Nalule, Matovu Meddy, Mwebe Ali, Kulubya Edward, the FUFA Executive committee and other staff of the secretariat but most importantly the FUFA President, Col Bells Tushabe, Fred Balenzi, Benard Bainamani, Patrick Sebuliba, Kavuma Kabenge, Lajan and lately Decolas Kiiza. There is nothing I could do without any one of them.
Back to the question, Football competitions as said by Michelle Platin, are the face of a football organization. I have not accomplished my wish of what competitions would be in Uganda but I walk away with my head up. I have been instrumental in many huge changes that the faint hearted thought would never be. Remember I will hold a supervisory role in my new appointment over all departments including Competitions
Magogo with a colleague attending one of the FIFA organised courses
Qtn. What do you regard your biggest achievement in the competitions department?
Moses. In 2006 when we came in, football competitions had become a mockery, the organizers were accomplices to the match fixing and different rules applied to different clubs. Our biggest achievement was to return sanity to results and stamp the rule of law being equal to all. It did not earn us friends but we did not despair until now. The Professionalisation of the USL, Players Contracts, the FUFA Big League, the regional leagues, the players’ data compilation may stand out but these are just in making. I am however very confident that the people I leave behind will make competitions even better.
Qtn. Any possible failures blamed on yourself?
Moses. There were many times decisions of the committee, even some I was against at committee level were labeled against my person. There are many times the incompetence of Clubs and their officials was transferred to me as a person. Look at the USL today, the operational organization is worse. All the crimes I was accused of are more rampant and worse. Fixture changes, communications hi-cups, poor quality football, clubs’ poverty, the failure by VEK clubs to win the league, unchecked and absolute organizers powers etc. My hope and prayers are that Mujib Kasule arrests the rot before a wonderful concept is “killed” by self-seekers who do not understand anything about professional football
Qtn. Talk about you experience/training acquired so far and how this will help you in your new office.
Moses. I am a FIFA certified Football Administration Instructor meaning that I teach football administration on FIFA deployment at the international level. There is only Justus Mugisha with the same level in Uganda and Sam Mpiima in the making. Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Ethiopia and Malawi are some of the countries without one. I have been assigned responsibility when I delivered a course in Zambia to the elite league club officials; I have been to Namibia and Zurich for the same assignment and development process.
The other day, I got an assignment from FIFA to deliver an Elite Club Administration Course in Botswana from 21st -25th November 2011
Eng. Magogo (2nd right) with colleagues at the FA headquarters in Mengo recently
Qtn. How it will help in your new posting?
Moses. I teach how to proffesionalise a football club and a football organization (like FUFA) and I am known to be an off-the-chair administrator. The combination of the two is the reason I accepted the posting. Insha Allah, with the help of the entire team at FUFA, there better changes awaiting by my new role
Ceaser Okhuti in action during one of the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup tournamentsCranes prolific striker Ceaser Okhuti has this Monday extended his stay at Bunamwaya SC for two more years until 2014.
Okuthi signed the extension contract from the club headquarters in Zana, Wakiso district in presence of Bunamwaya club secretary Haruna Kyobe.
The development ends media speculations that the Cranes striker had the intentions to join SC Villa.
Okhuti joined Bunamwaya SC from Ediofe Hills in 2008 after a scramble by many Super Division Clubs to sign him. During last season, the player was loaned to Vietnamese club, Ninh Binh for three months. Kyobe said the period elapsed at the end of September prompting Bunamwaya to repossess him.
“The Vietnamese club was reluctant to recruit him on a permanent deal and he is now back home” said the club secretary.
While playing for Ediofe, Okhuti exhibited rare skills that landed him an invitation to the Cranes team that featured for the 2007 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup held in Tanzania.
He guided Uganda to a third place in the tournament with two goals brilliant scored.
Before the FIFA Development Officer Ashford Mamelodi concluded his five-day visit to Uganda on November 3, he spoke to FUFA’s Head of Communications, Rogers Mulindwa on issues related to soccer development. Read on.
FIFA Development Officer in charge of Eastern and Southern Africa Ashford Mamelodi reacts to questions by FUFA's Rogers Mulindwa
Qtn. What was the purpose of your visit?
This is a routine visit. I do it in all countries within my jurisdiction, one time I am in Uganda, Niger or in South Africa or any other country.
Qtn. What’s your comment on the work progress at Njeru Technical centre?
I have been there to assess the performance on the ground and it’s an impressive work. I had expected the work to be complete by end of December but the contractors are almost 90 % done. If it hadn’t been the continued rains in Uganda, they would even have completed by now. I am very happy about this.
Qtn. Does it earn Uganda a fourth FIFA Goal Project?
It’s important we finish up the third Goal Project first. But the FUFA Executive Committee must also start thinking of the next Goal Project. Where do they want to spend the money? After agreeing on the choice of the project, then they apply to FIFA. This impressive performance with the third Goal project puts them in the ripe position for another one. Starting January, the goal Project money will be revised upwards to U$ 500.000.
Qtn. Uganda narrowly failed to qualify for the CAN finals another time. Did you feel sorry about this?
It was a pity that Uganda did not qualify. They came very close and I thought they were making a new paragraph in the continental history but I was shocked with the last minute results against Kenya. However that’s football and there are many other chances to come. The next qualifiers begin early next year and I hope Uganda will utilize the campaign well.
Qtn. How do you rate Uganda’s current standard of football?
FUFA president, Lawrence (Mulindwa) and his team have done a good job. Football is not only measured by qualification to continental tournaments or World Cups but there are many other check points. The situation in this country is far better than the one I knew ten years ago. The FA leadership should know that there is no short cut to success. We need to go towards grass root work. Tanzania recently launched the grass root program. We are waiting for the Ugandan government to sign the Memorandum of Understanding because the program needs a lot of central government support. I am also happy with the organization at the secretariat. The federation is now stable and should not relax but instead keep up the fight for better results.
Qtn. You spearheaded the formation of the Jinja Declaration Committee (JDC). Has it served the purpose?
If well utilized, JDC would have played a good role in the proper management of the premier League but I have been receiving complaints from its chairperson (Richard Omongole) that the committee is sidelined by USL. FIFA ran that workshop in Jinja to help Uganda take their League to a professional level but the good idea is being mismanaged by a few individuals with in USL. My visit has seen the clubs make some changes in this committee and I hope for the better.
Mamelodi (c) and the FA president Lawrence Mulindwa (right), shortly after the meeting at FUFA, November 2
Qtn. What’s your take on the operations of USL?
I must emphasize, there is no other body that supersedes the federation and it’s therefore wrong for USL to assume more powers than FUFA whether it’s a company limited or not. USL is a structure under FUFA mandated by the federation to run the league. If there are individuals within USL that don’t like the FA leader, they should wait for the election time but must avoid politicizing football. The USL Board can never be equal to the federation. I am not here to plead with the clubs, they are aware that FUFA had a choice not to provide for the establishment of this board. This very good concept is being hijacked and used as a tool to fight personal battles by some people. That’s wrong and it must stop.
Qtn. What was FIFA’s message to the clubs?
If such disputes continue, FIFA will suspend FUFA. There will be no league, Uganda will not participate in CAF or FIFA organized tournaments and football will be gone. I am told that’s what some people want to see and attribute it to Mulindwa’s failure but even the sponsorship money that excites them will go. That’s a scenario I wouldn’t like to see happen and I call for a change. How do you allow non acceptable referees to officiate league matches! Let nobody take FIFA lightly.
FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa (in suit) shares a moment of happiness with his newly appointed Vice President in charge of USL, Mujib Kasule at the FA offices in Mengo .
The controversy surrounding the appointment of Proline FC Director to the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) Executive Committee has come to an end this Wednesday when he denied allegations of rejecting the post and pledged to serve.
Ugandan FA President Lawrence Mulindwa on October 26 reshuffled his Executive and appointed Kasule as his Vice in charge of the Uganda Super League (USL). Kasule told a meeting attended by Super Division club officials at the federation headquarters in Mengo that, ‘I am ready to serve’.
His acceptance comment came after receiving blessings from the club officials present. KCC FC Vice Chairperson John Mutenda said both the clubs and USL had no objection to the president’s choice. “We don’t need to go back and consult [the voters] on this, we have blessed your appointment” he added.
Earlier in the week, some critics had alleged that Kasule’s appointment was unconstitutional since he wasn’t the USL chairman as provided by the Jinja Declaration. FUFA Vice president in charge of Administration, Eng. Moses Magogo however later clarified that the amended constitution Article 24 (viii) provided for the president to choose this particular Vice President from amongst the Super Division club Directors. Kasule is the Director of Proline Football club.
FIFA development officer Ashford Mamelodi who also attended the meeting said FUFA statutes protected the FA president on his decision. “The FA constitution is final and it supersedes all other documents” Mamelodi clarified. Kasule will now be charged with the supervision of the USL day to day operations on behalf of the federation executive among other duties as may be assigned to him by the FA president.
Newly appointed FUFA vice president incarge USL Mujib Kasule greets FIFA development officer Ashford Mamelodi at FA headquarters, November 2
Super Division club officials sitting at FUFA headquarters in Mengo this Wednesday afternoon have thrown out city Lawyer, Kavuma Kabenge from the Jinja Declaration Committee (JDC) accusing him of inefficiency and failing to dedicate enough time towards the committee duties.
The committee chairperson, Richard Omongole had earlier before the motion was moved, accused Kabenge of being selfish and dictatorial in nature. “I think he is used to running organizations where he has absolute powers…he has messed up USL and it’s in total disorganization”, said Omongole. He was speaking in a meeting chaired by the FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa and attended by the FIFA development Officer Ashford Mamelodi. Like Kabenge, Omongole is also a lawyer.
After a long debate, KCC FC Vice Chairperson, John Mutenda, a co-director with Kabenge on the USL board moved the motion to relieve Kabenge of the duties on the JDC which was applauded by all members. Newly appointed Vice President in charge of USL Mujib Kasule’s name was proposed and approved unanimously.
USL Chief Executive officer, Ssegawa Jimmy was however retained on the five-man committee. The full committee now has Richard Omongole, Moses Magogo, Isa Magoola, Mujib Kasule and Jimmy Ssegawa. In his submission, Omongole further clarified that the Company Act does not restrict the number of directors on the USL board to only seven as Kabenge alleges. “It only talks of 5-7 as a desirable number but the company has the mandate to make it bigger” Omongole clarified. USL had appointed only seven members to their board contrary to the recommended 16 as stated in the Jinja Declaration.
“The current seven directors are just imagined. USL fears democracy and that’s why they don’t want to hold the elections of the board chairperson. Kabenge fears, he would be thrown out” Omongole added. On accountability, the city lawyer disclosed that the board had failed to account to its members.
He also recommended a complete ‘over haul’ of USL in order to improve on service delivery. “Let’s not burry our heads in the sand, leaving our backs exposed and we think we are solving the problem. There is need for a complete overhaul of USL” he recommended.
In his address, FIFA development officer Ashford Mamelodi confessed receiving reports from Omongole indicating that he had been sidelined by USL. He was also disappointed to learn that the man in the centre of this controversy, Kavuma Kabenge was not in attendance of this meeting. Mutenda moved his apologies that he had travelled to Germany and that SC Vila Chairperson Fred Muwema was sick and couldn’t also attend. Mamelodi said JDC should serve as a monitoring tool between FUFA and USL.
Maroons, Masaka LC and Water FC were the only clubs that were not represented in this meeting.
(Posted by Rogers Mulindwa-Head of Communications, FUFA)
Bunamwaya SC and Uganda Cranes attacking midfielder Owen Kasule has finally realized his professional dream after completing transfer procedures to join one of Vietnamese V League top clubs, Hoang Ahn Gia Lai FC.
