The Federation of Uganda Football Associations has said that their commitment to eradicating match-fixing remains unwavering. They say that since launching an anti-match fixing campaign in March last year, they have been proactive in tackling this issue.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Charles Twine, a member and Chief Investigator of the FUFA Investigatory Chamber, and Denis Lukambi, the FUFA Legal Manager, reaffirmed this stance.
Twine emphasized FUFA’s determination to fight match-fixing and highlighted their capacity to trace any cases.
“We launched a campaign against a vice that was damaging the game. Since then, we have been deliberate and consistent in our efforts. We received substantial information from various platforms, revealing multiple instances of match-fixing,” Twine stated.
He further revealed that, with FIFA’s help, FUFA dismantled a syndicate based in South Africa.
“We came across a syndicate that had infiltrated our game. Individuals like Mugisha Andrew and Mutyaba Highfier, also known as Chelsea, were reaching out to referees, players, and administrators to manipulate games,” Twine revealed, adding that as a result, some individuals have been suspended for 90 days as investigations continue.
Regarding the new Sports Act, Twine explained that its enforcement would depend on the security and judicial agencies, as FUFA’s judicial bodies are limited to football judgments.
Lukambi elaborated on FUFA’s investigative capabilities, stating, “We have the capacity to conduct thorough investigations. We take time to identify cases, follow up, and summon the implicated individuals before making any judgments.” He also mentioned FUFA’s partnership with Sportradar, a data collection firm that collaborates with FIFA, which has enhanced its ability to gather intelligence reports.
