Football stakeholders in Bugisu and Bukedi provinces are raising concerns over the financial strain imposed on clubs due to referee allowances, leading to compromised match integrity. These issues came to the forefront during a recent engagement between the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) executives and stakeholders in Mbale City.
FUFA President Moses Magogo and his executive team convened with club administrators and football administrative units at both district and regional levels. The primary objective was to address pertinent issues affecting grassroots football development and foster closer collaboration between the federation and stakeholders.
Among the challenges highlighted by club administrators, poor officiating and financial constraints stood out prominently. Magomu Robert, CEO of UCU Football Club, commended the FUFA executive for their outreach efforts and emphasized the significance of bridging the gap between the federation and grassroots stakeholders.
He pointed out the substantial challenge of match-fixing and the financial burden on clubs, citing the requirement for each club to pay 160,000 shillings per game for referee allowances, amounting to 1.9 million shillings for the entire league. Magomu also revealed how some clubs exploit this gap to compromise referees, thereby undermining the development of professional football.
Kavuma Wilson, CEO of Mbale Garage FC, expressed appreciation for the president’s recognition of their role in football development and encouraged clubs to embrace and promote women’s football.
Magogo assured stakeholders that their concerns would be thoroughly discussed in the upcoming executive meeting to shape FUFA’s policies, programs, and budgeting. He encouraged clubs to prioritize capacity building for club and sports administrators, as well as the promotion of women’s football.
The visit has instilled optimism among regional stakeholders, shedding light on the challenges and potential remedies for football development in the area. This maiden visit by the FUFA president and his executive team is part of the federation’s nationwide tour aimed at addressing pertinent issues affecting football and enhancing standards in lower divisions.
In an exclusive interview, Joseph Mukholi, the President of the Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) Eastern region, lauded FUFA’s regional tour and its objectives as a positive step forward. He acknowledged the importance of such initiatives in addressing the challenges facing football development in the region and fostering closer ties between the federation and local stakeholders.
However, Mukholi emphasized the need for concrete action following the tour, stressing that the promises and commitments made during the engagements must be followed through with tangible measures to bring about meaningful change in the football landscape across the country.
