UCA: Badu bounces back

KAMPALA. Bashir ‘Badu’ Ansasiira is officially back in the hot seat as the chairman of Uganda Cricket Association (UCA).
This is after an overwhelming 11-5 win against Paul Nsibuka Luswata in the rescheduled polls at the UCA Special General Meeting (SGM) held at Kati Kati Restaurant on Saturday.
During the initial Annual General Meeting (AGM) on January 26, both candidates had polled eight votes apiece in their quest to be at the helm of the gentleman’s game for the term 2019-2021.
But it is Ansasiira that won a second successive term after a six-week wait after getting the nod from the 16-vote Electoral College.
“Thanks for showing faith in me,” Ansasiira, spotting a blank but straight face, told the house in his short acceptance speech.
“Cricket is here for all of us to develop and I will continue working and involving everyone. I am deeply focused on development.
“I will also ensure that we have an operational budget and plan that tallies with our actual execution in the field so that our finances are well balanced. And finally I will work to make certain the success of our flag bearers – the national teams. I want to work in ensuring that cricket is a sport that everyone in Uganda is proud of.”
Nsibuka justifiably sounded disappointed after failing to upstage Ansasiira in a third straight elective polls.
“I will stay on as a Board Member for Tornado. And I will contribute as I have been doing,” said the defiant-in-defeat Tornado delegate.
“The cricket fraternity have spoken. Who am I to disagree. I can also respect, if I am truly cricketer. Disappointed? Yes I am. But I have to respect the voice of the majority.”
The SGM wasn’t without rope pulling – something that can be avoided that has become part and parcel of several AGMs in Ugandan sport.

KICC factor
As predicted by Daily Monitor, it was Kampala Institute of Cricket Clubs (KICC) that swung the vote with their two representatives voting for Ansasiira this time after opting for Nsibuka on January 26. It is also believed that Jinja Association of Cricket Clubs (JACC) split their vote with each of the members voting for a different camp.

New committee
There was also a new Constitutional Review Committee, to be headed by William Kibukamusoke, set up after the house threw out the proposal sent in by clubs to resolve the impasse in case of a tie similar to the one that happened in January.
The financial books were also passed this time round with the audit firm Crowe Horwath AIA given another term. But the audit firm set the alarm bells ringing with a strong worded letter to the board with some tough recommendations where they highlighted that there were issues with UCA’s accounting and that the Accountant is not competent enough to produce quality results – something that the board has to act on.

HOW THEY VOTED AT UCA SGM

Bashir ‘Badu’ Ansasiira 11
Paul Nsibuka Luswata 5
New Constitutional Review Team
William Kibukamusoke – Head
Enock Barumba
Premal Yagnik
Rajin Tailor
Joseph Mwambala (legal)
Jeremy Kibukamusoke (legal)