Alupo calls emergency showdown with USL

This follows USL’s raging letter to the minister in response to her statement, which the company says has not helped football administration.

Kampala

Education and Sports Minister Jessica Alupo is expected to meet with Uganda Super League (USL) officials tomorrow in an effort to arrest a seemingly escalating situation.

The USL, enraged by the minister’s statement on Monday that alienated them from the league management, said Alupo had failed to address the real governance problem. They also argue that she has no powers to de-register their company.

“Hon. Minister, your unsigned statement is a misstatement,” read a communiqué, signed by USL chairman Kavuma Kabenge and vice Fred Muwema. “And since it is not part of the solution to the ravaging of football administration malaise in Uganda, it is now firmly part of the problem of football administration.”

In Alupo releasing an unsigned official statement was an irregularity in itself. “That was a small error,” she told Daily Monitor yesterday; “It doesn’t take me much time to sign it. “But after reading the USL letter, I have now decided to call them here for a meeting on Thursday.

“They are clearly not happy with our statement and their letter is of legal nature. I have asked the PS (Francis Lubanga) to call them. “Together with the PS, a representative from the Solicitor General and Attorney General’s office, we shall go through each paragraph of their letter on Thursday to get to the bottom of their grievances.”

Among other ‘contradictions’ cited by the USL in the minister’s statement is appendix 5.0, paragraph five, where the minister paid tribute to the Kawaase mediation committee “whose recommendations were instrumental in the outcome of this process.”

The same cited Kawaase report, instituted early last year, ruled that Fufa had no powers to ban USL officials, that USL was illegally disbanded, and that Fufa Ltd was not the national football association.
“Yet you recommend without assigning any cogent reason except for rekindling acrimony that sanctioned USL officials seek amnesty from Fufa, which is also referred to as Fufa Ltd,” read further a missive to the minister.

On Monday, Alupo promised to pronounce government’s verdict on Fufa’s legality, which USL say is the main problem, in two week’s time.

Fufa are not legally constituted as per the 1964 Sports Act, which regulates sports bodies, while Fufa Ltd is what the Mengo body call their business arm. On Maroons’ controversial demotion, coach Asaph Mwebaze’s said: “We are dismayed because we did everything according to law. We continue doing wide consultation before making another move.”

Highlights in usl rejoinder to government
Cannot embrace Alupo’s unsigned statement for lack of legal and practical implementation

Until the issue of governance is solved, the acrimonies will continue

Questions USL banned officials seeking amnesty yet Kawaase report exonerated them and deemed Fufa Ltd not the national football association

Fufa is prejudiced, therefore cannot steer creation of UPL without more disputes

Going to court is a constitutional right

To continue seeking other lawful measures since minister’s statement has not done football administration any favours

amwanguhya@ug.nationmedia.com