UCA Assembly: Kingmakers KICC, ACC opt for appeasement policy

KAMPALA.

For up to eight months to last Saturday’s Uganda Cricket Association (UCA)’s Elective Assembly at Kati Kati Restaurant in Lugogo, candidates were on the prowl wooing the electorate.
The number of meetings held, money spent by the different parties, sub-plots and roles played by the non-voting clubs were in the infinity.

Although the game is bigger than individuals, elections always bring out the animal in personalities and true character as witnessed in the heated but smoothly run assembly.

Kampala Institute of Cricket Clubs (KICC), who were thrown out of the meeting and only allowed to return after amicably settling their ‘wrangles’ in-house proved to be the kingmakers as the two votes from their delegates Mukesh Shukla and Hanumant Katkar helped Bashir ‘Badu’ Ansasira edge Paul Nsibuka Luswata to the chairman’s seat.

If KICC’s hadn’t been allowed back to participate in the assembly following their two delegates bickering on who should be the board member and who should vote, then Nsibuka would have easily cantered to victory. Africa Cricket Club (ACC)’s young gurus were allegedly in Badu’s camp, or so everyone thought until when the election count, managed by trustees Abbey Kits Lutaaya and Ranmal Viram Keshwala, was held.

The oldest club in Uganda’s two delegates and board member (Jackson Kavuma, Rokani Sylvester and Paul Kaheru) held several meetings with Badu prior to the election. A handful were at Uganda Golf Club (UGC) and, Daily Monitor understands they were even in the same WhatsApp group plotting change of guard.

But alas, an 11th hour meeting with club patron Dr Kato Sebbaale and late lobbying from Nsibuka’s camp made ACC delegates have a change of heart. Ansasira and his camp woke up to reality that they had been ‘sleeping with the enemy’ all that long.

Then there was the curious case of Wanderers. For the umpteenth time, Wanderers’ vote was split. After making Ansasira believe that he would get full-backing from them, somewhat Nsibuka’s camp managed to ‘sweet talk’ one of the delegates into voting for their man.

Split vote
Daily Monitor understands that former national team opening bowler Richard Sempa’s vote was won by Nsibuka whereas his fellow Wanderers delegate Nirav Hathi stuck with Ansasira. For the secretary role, it was quite easy with the majority going for fresh blood in Eric Kamara, who is highly rated by many elders in the fraternity.

The incumbent Jeremy Kibuukamusoke polled only four votes; two from his parent club Tornado Bee and the others coming from Nile.
And whereas Ansasira will be thanking the gods that KICC ‘settled’ their differences in time to vote him (imagine their candidate Mukesh Shukla who was standing for chairmanship didn’t vote himself), it will also be a nice gesture if he extends an olive branch to outgoing chairman Richard Mwami, Sempa and the ‘beloved gentlemen’ of ACC as well as his sworn critics.

The jury will be out on how Ansasira manages to keep a straight bat on all these egos whilst ensuring the game progresses seamlessly.

HOW THEY VOTED FOR CHAIRMAN
CHAIRMAN
Bashir ‘Badu’ Ansasira (9): Nile (2), Premier (2), KICC (2), Tornado B (2), Wanderers (1)
Paul Nsibuuka Luswata (7): JACC (2), ACC (2),
Tornado (2), Wanderers (1)
SECRETARY
Eric Kamara (12): Wanderers (2), Premier (2), KICC (2), JACC (2), ACC (2), Tornado (2)
Jeremy Kibuukamusoke (4): Tornado B & Nile (4),