Bakkabulindi bounces back, continues to divide opinion

KAMPALA. Sunday’s Cabinet reshuffle saw junior sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi retain his post.
Bakkabulindi, who joined Parliament in 1996 as Workers’ representative, was appointed to this post by President Museveni in 2005 and has since maintained his status despite reshuffles in 2006, 2009, 2011 and the latest on Sunday.
The Minister has overseen a controversial reign especially when it comes to solving wrangles in sports federations. Despite presiding over wrangles in boxing and football, the sports have continued to suffer.
He has also been at the height of the never ending local football wrangles that involved Fufa, Fufa Super League (FSL) and Uganda Super League (USLL).
Last year, Constitutional Court judge Geoffrey Kiryabwire cautioned and ordered Bakkabulindi to pay unspecified costs to complainants USLL after he was found guilty of disobeying court orders. Court had stayed Fufa elections but the minister went ahead to sanction them on August 31, 2013.

WHAT SOME UGANDANS HAD TO SAY

Don Rukare, Uganda Swimming Federation president
He is our boss. We congratulate him and hope to continue working with him.

Sekamate Shakira, Graduate
I didn’t know we have a sports minister, not with all the stories in the media about teams and sportsmen lacking funds to travel.

Bridget Baine, hockey player
His reign has seen some sports ignored. There are some wrangles where you would wish him to step in but he hasn’t shown any efficiency.

Howard Omara, Basketball enthusiast.
Bakkabulindi is good at convincing he will deliver. He is strategic at lobbying support for himself and not for sport.

David Matovu, boda boda rider. I really don’t care who serves as a minister anymore. I just hope I can still continue to play and watch athletics and football

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