The sports fraternity in Uganda has been left in shock and disappointment following the suspension of Uganda Rugby Cranes captain, Ivan Magomu, for six months and his removal from the captaincy.
The Uganda Rugby Union Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Jeroline Akubu, handed down the ruling after finding Magomu guilty of bringing the game of rugby into disrepute.
Magomu, who is also a key player for the Black Pirates Rugby Club, was disciplined for a social media post he made on his official X platform on July 31, 2024.
The post involved a letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development, directing the National Council of Sports (NCS) to replace its General Secretary, Dr. Bernard Ogwel.
Magomu’s post, which criticised Dr. Ogwel and others in the NCS, was deemed by the committee to be premature and damaging to the sport.
The disciplinary ruling has sparked widespread backlash on social media platforms like X from rugby fans, players, and stakeholders who feel that Magomu’s actions were justified and that the suspension is an overreaction.
Rugby 7s and 15s player Philip Wokorach voiced his frustration on X, questioning the implications for other players:
“If our voice and captain Mr. @ivan_magomu is banned for raising issues affecting us the players and the team then what will happen to the rest of us if we do the same. Isn’t that injustice?”
Magomu’s Pirates Rugby Club teammate, Keith Nabugyere, expressed solidarity with his captain, hinting at a potential boycott:
“If this unjust ruling stands, I too ‘attach’ myself to the same punishment as @ivan_magomu…I will not participate in any rugby game for 6 months…#IStandWithMagomu.”
Conrad Wandera Wanyama, the vice-captain of the Rugby Cranes and Pirates, condemned the decision, calling it short-sighted and harmful to the team’s efforts in pursuing Rugby World Cup qualification.
“DC chair has put the sport in disrepute with that decision. Stripping us of great leadership for the current crop of players as we seek RWC qualification is myopic. Player welfare is abysmal as it stands, and not standing with @ivan_magomu right now is not standing for anything,” he said.
Fans have also taken to social media to express their disappointment. Hashtags like #IStandWithMagomu have begun trending on X, with users rallying behind the embattled captain.
“Sitting in your AC office and ruling Ivan Magomu isn’t fit to captain the national team because you think he doesn’t understand the significance of the role is really bold.” Said @christianwaniaye, a rugby fan.
“Players should raise their voice through their own institution and that u-turn is if our captain @ivan_magomu summons all Ugandan rugby players to assemble and discuss our welfare and how to improve it on our own,” said another rugby fan @SyrusWatum.
Journalists, such as NBS Sport’s renowned sports journalist Brian Tuka have also weighed in saying, “If a captain can’t speak, what happens to the other players?”
Magomu and his legal team have 72 hours to appeal the decision, and they have already indicated their intent to challenge the ruling through all available channels.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the future of rugby governance in Uganda.
