Cycling federation boss promises change

New. Lukwago (L) takes the oath of office. PHOTO BY A. SSEMUGABI

What you need to know:

Lukwago, who works with Trees for the Future, a US-based Non-Governmental Organisation, his vice Fred Maiso and four board members were voted into office February 19, a week after Uganda Cycling Association, the old managers re-elected controversial Sam ‘Mahaba’ Muwonge as chairman

KAMPALA.

Mathias Lukwago, the first president of Uganda Cycling Federetion (UCF), acknowledges a lofty task ahead if Ugandan cycling is to rise from slumber, but he is confident his first 90 days in office will set the ball rolling.

“Reviving cycling to the desirable heights is a tough task, I know, but we need to straightaway start working for the change we need,” Lukwago said.

“Almost everything needs to be changed so, we have set ourselves short-term objectives which we hope to accomplish in the first three months, to set the pace towards our long-term goals.”

First 90 Days
Lukwago, who was sworn-in last week at the Lugogo Tennis Club, said they have already secured the federation’s offices and paid part of the 1350 Swiss Francs, (about Shs4.8m) the previous administrators owed the international body as affiliation fees for the last nine years.

Going forward, Lukwago will soon visit Amsterdam, Brussels and Zurich to negotiate professional deals and sponsorship and renewing affiliation.
The other committees like the treasury, secretariat must also be constituted.

To boost competition, L,ukwago said all calendar events, which opened with the Women’s Day Race, must continue and with prize money strictly in US Dollars. Equally paramount, is the reinvigoration of the associations “which must feed the federation” and updating the federation website regarding athlete performance and rankings.

Lukwago, who works with Trees for the Future, a US-based Non-Governmental Organisation, his vice Fred Maiso and four board members were voted into office February 19, a week after Uganda Cycling Association, the old managers re-elected controversial Sam ‘Mahaba’ Muwonge as chairman.

The National Council of Sports (NCS) recognises the Mahaba faction and did not attend Lukwago’s inauguration but he hopes for the better. “Perhaps, they (NCS) were busy,” he said.