Old vs present vs ‘new’ at UVF

Tried & Tested. Nasiwu (L) and Namanda have had a bite at the cherry but still want more. Both think they will sweep the polls. PHOTOS/ISMAIL KEZAALA

Sadik Nasiwu wants to retrace a path he walked between 2009 and 2017. Hadijah Namanda thinks she’s done enough to earn another four-year term. Eddie Okila is hoping to be third-time lucky.

The three – vying to be president of the Uganda Volleyball Federation (UVF) – all feel confident that they have the best vision to convince the 157 delegates at today’s elective assembly.  “By the time he (Nasiwu) handed over, many things were a mess which I cleaned up to keep the game afloat,” Namanda says ahead of the election to be held at Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) offices today.

Namanda’s reign
Then, second vice-president, Namanda collected 57 votes to beat Joseph Odong (48) and Okila (21) to the presidency. During her reign, Uganda has hosted All Africa Games and Olympic qualifiers, and the women’s U-20 African Nations’ Volleyball Championship is coming here this February. In Nasiwu’s view, the game needs to get back to where it belongs. “The people have requested me to return and fix things,” Nasiwu argues.

“The game’s status has gone down yet I left it in a good place. There are no structures and the federation has no offices. The league is disfranchised and unknown.
“Everything is self-centered to an individual,” Nasiwu, who thinks experience, will sway the vote, protests the current status quo. For Okila, a contestant in 2013 and 2017, it’s about everything Nasiwu and Namanda have failed to do for the past 12 years especially the inability to vouch for finances.

He wants to completely rebrand the federation, create new growth in an evolving market and bring new people on board.
Okila’s philosophy
“We have to develop marketable products and attract more fans and potential sponsors,” Okila, the most youthful in the race, explains.
The delegates are drawn from clubs, schools and district associations. Their task includes choosing from a pool of 15 for five positions.

Besides the presidency, the first and second vice presidents, general secretary, assistant general secretary and treasurer will be elected too.

New Broom. Okila hopeful on third presidency attempt.


History has had UVF elections end in controversy as accusations of ineligible voters being ferried in to participate but everyone is hoping for a cleaner and fairer process. 

UVF ELECTIONS CANDIDATES
    
President
Hadijah Namanda
Eddie Okila
Sadik Nasiwu

First Vice President
Anthony Ashaba
Stephen Waiswa Ardone
Abdallah Kiggundu

Second Vice President
Salmah Kairungi
Hellen Nakimuli
Faridah Nalinya

General Secretary
Hassan Lubinga Sekajolo
Godwin Nakaana Ssenyondo

Assistant General Secretary
Kizza Margaret
Eunice Nuwabigaba

Treasurer
Adam Mugisha
Joseph Adong