By Mark Baber
September 3 – Moses Magogo has been elected unopposed as the new President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) for the next four years, taking over from Lawrence Mulindwa who declined to seek re-election after serving for eight years.
In the general assembly, held in Jinja, 73 of an expected 86 delegates voted, 69 for Magogo, 3 against and one invalid.
Magogo, who was previously the federation’s vice president, said: “I am very glad that the Assembly has given me the mandate to lead football in this country for the next four years.
“I thank the outgoing president for having identified and groomed me for this huge task and promise to build on what he started.”
Others elected to the new FUFA executive included; Justus Mugisha (1st Vice-President), Darius Mugoya (2nd Vice-President), and Mujib Kasule (3rd Vice-President and Super Division Clubs representative), Mariam Kaliga, Hamid Juma, Samuel Mpiima, Patrick Ogwel, Rogers Byamukama, Chris Kalubbala, Sam Lwere, Rasoul Ariga and Richard Ochom.
Lawrence Mulindwa was also declared an honorary president allowing him to participate in FUFA assemblies though he will not be allowed to vote.
FIFA had warned FUFA in July against government interference which could lead to a worldwide football ban for the country.
TheUgandan Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi had ordered education and sports minister Jessica Alupo to consult FIFA on all actions that they wanted to take with regard to football in Uganda.
Alupo sent a letter to FIFA July 16 asking for a meeting to discuss the legality of FUFA, arguing that FUFA has operated as a private company limited by guarantee since 2009 which is inconsistent with Ugandan law and indicating the government wanted to take certain measures but needed clarification first.
FIFA’s Secretary General Jerome Valcke replied in a letter dated July 19, stating that: “Any actions/measures taken unilaterally against the structures and/or the status of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) would be considered as interference in the FUFA affairs and the case would be brought to FIFA’s higher instances for appropriate sanctions, which could include suspension.”
Valcke indicated in his letter that a meeting would only be possible once the situation concerning FUFA’s legal status was fully clarified and advised the government to provide clear guidelines on how the federation should proceed should it decide that FUFA still needs to undergo legal changes or modifications.
“Nevertheless, such changes or modifications should not affect the constitutional structure of the federation. FUFA went through deep changes with the adoption of a new constitution in August 2012 which is now in line with the FIFA standard statutes,” said Valcke.
In his election manifesto Magogo highlighted “the process of strengthening all the institutions ahead of individuals so that they are sustained in existence and growth even when certain individuals depart. Strong statutes, regulations, policies and their strict adherence and enforcement will allow growth of institutions.
“We will advocate for mass distribution, education, prevention of contravention and enforcement of statutes, regulations and policies at all levels in the game of football in Uganda.”
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