​Ligyalingi bows out as CEO

Stepping down. Ligyalingi (left) talking to UCA Operations Manager Martin Ondeko at a past cricket event. PHOTO BY EDDIE CHICCO

KAMPALA.

For nearly a decade, Justine Ligyalingi has been the face of Uganda’s cricket. He has seen it all.
But on Monday, Ligyalingi officially resigned from the position of Chief Executive Officer at Uganda Cricket Association (UCA).
“I have done two terms, that’s eight years and it’s time to move on,” Ligyalingi told this paper hours after his exit email streamed to the media.
He had held this position since 2010. Here, shaped the sport in thick and thin and was at the fore front of hosting different championships at the local, regional and international level.
Not to forget, Ligyalingi was a key figure in Uganda’s recent successes such as the 2011 ICC Africa Twenty20 Championship on home soil as well as the 2017 ICC Africa Women’s T20 tourney in Zimbabwe.
“Its given me lessons, requiring things to work with in real time, managing multiple complex stakeholders, but at the same time an experience that I am grateful about.”
“We have achieved together as a team. And I am very glad to leave at this stage where UCA is looking very bright and moving to a higher level. Cricket has made me what I am and I am happy to have served.” added the 47-year-old.
Ligyalingi, who had held the position of assistant general secretary of National Council of Sports (NCS) prior from 1998-2010, did not resign in email though. Ligyalingi, a wicket-keeper batsman back in his heyday, sent out a document advertising his former job, confirming keys decisions that came through from the recent UCA AGM.
The meeting agreed to find a new CEO, who will now administer the sport in a crucial spell where the senior men’s national team - the Cricket Cranes - is seeking promotion from the ICC World Cricket League Division Four.
Promotion from this tournament due April 28 - May 5 in Malaysia could enhance the support UCA receives in terms of grants from international body ICC.
But to become UCA CEO, one must have in-depth knowledge on the local game and international connections within the sport.
Daily Monitor understands that three individuals are candidates for the vacant job.
They include Martin Ondeko, who has served as UCA Adminstration and Operations Officer since 2009.
“I haven’t heard about that yet,” Ondeko said when contacted about the job. “I haven’t decided yet (about applying).” the Nile Cricket Club batsman added.
Jacob Muddu, a player with Africa Cricket Club, is another in the race for the job as well as teammate Slyvester Rokani.
“Ha ha ha, I am a cricket lover, always be and will,” Muddu stated when asked about his interest for the job.
“It would be nice to serve cricket in any capacity, player (which I currently am) or manager.” the man who first learnt about the game at Busoga College Mwiri in 1996.