Nuwagaba pledges to deliver home for cricket association

It was an exceptional elective Annual General Meetings (AGMs) as Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) went to polls to pick new office bearers for the 2021-2023 term in Lugogo last weekend.

Michael Nuwagaba, the UCA secretary for the last three years, ascended to the chairmanship role unopposed to take over from Bashir ‘Badu’ Ansasiira, who served for two terms from 2017.

Previous cricket AGMs, like of many other local federations, were similar to exchange markets with a lot of finger-pointing, counter-accusations and uncontrollable crowds.

But it was different in Lugogo. Even the earlier three Tornado contestants; Joseph Bagabo (for chairman), Fred Lutaaya (secretary) and Jackie Lutaaya (women’s representative) who had shown interest had written to UCA Secretariat to withdraw, last week.

The returning officer, Michael Wandera, a lawyer and team manager of the Rugby Cranes 7s, had a job similar to trophy processions as he announced the new office bearers and urged them to be accountable during their term.

Build on successes
“A lot of unity is happening now in the fraternity and I want to build on the successes of the outgoing chairman Bashir,” said Nuwagaba, a 42-year-old manager at Centenary Bank in Kampala.

“Top of my agenda will be to fast-track the purchase of land for the home of UCA. We are in the final stages of this plan as it has been on-going and we are going to zero down on a plot that is within the radius of 50km from Kampala. 

“We spend no less than Shs180m when we go to play abroad. But if we get a home where we can host teams here, we will have cut down the cost heavily.”

Like his predecessor Nuwagaba affirmed; “We also want to ensure our national teams are ready for the tough international calendar this season. But the long-term goal is to get One Day International (ODI) status.”

Nile Cricket Club delegate Alvin Mboijana Bagaya and Pioneer Cricket Club’s Ritah Tinka were also unopposed for the roles of Secretary and Women’s Representative on the board that also has six other members.

They are Fred Lutaaya (Tornado), Jeremy Kibukamusoke (Tornado Bee), Nehal Bibodi (Premier), Parminder Moni (Kampala Institute of Cricket Clubs), Paul Kaheru (Africa Cricket Club), and Busoga College Mwiri head teacher Arthur Mbalule (Jinja Association of Cricket Clubs).

The Lady Cricket Cranes fly out to Rwanda this week for the six-nation Kwibuka Women’s Twenty20 International Tournament and Nuwagaba will be hoping they can get his tenure off to a winning note.

New UCA Executive
Chairman    M. Nuwagaba    Wanderers
Secretary    Alvin Mboijana    Nile
Women    Ritah Tinka    Pioneer
Other Board Members
Fred Lutaaya            Tornado
Jeremy Kibukamusoke    Tornado B
Nehal Bibodi            Premier
Parminder Moni    KICC
Paul Kaheru            ACC
Arthur Mbalule        JACC
UCA Trustees
Steven Lumonya
Stephen Luswata  Lugemwa
Ranmal Keshwala

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