The ongoing power struggle within Ugandan netball intensified following the revocation of the Uganda Netball Federation’s (UNF) license by the National Council of Sports (NCS) and the establishment of a new governing body, Netball Uganda.
Sarah Kityo, the President of the Uganda Netball Federation, has openly criticized the actions taken by the NCS and World Netball, defending the legitimacy of the UNF and distancing herself from the new entity.
The NCS, with guidance from World Netball, formed a Normalisation Committee to restore order to Ugandan netball after years of administrative challenges.
The committee drafted a new constitution and created Netball Uganda to take over the management of the sport.
Elections for leadership positions in Netball Uganda are scheduled for October 26. However, Kityo is strongly opposed to the new structure, arguing that the UNF is the rightful governing body for netball in Uganda.
“Those who are fighting right now are all cheats,” Kityo said, accusing various factions of undermining the UNF. “Uganda Netball Federation is owned by delegates – not the government or even World Netball.”
Kityo emphasized that she does not recognize the new entity, stating, “I am not a member of Netball Uganda. I am the President of Uganda Netball Federation. I can’t take issues of Uganda Netball Federation to Netball Uganda because those are two separate entities.”
She further claimed that legal advice from the Attorney General and the Inspector General of Government (IGG) supported the UNF’s position, asserting that it had done nothing wrong.
“The Attorney General and IGG advised that Uganda Netball Federation had done nothing wrong. That is why they have created a new entity with a brand new constitution,” Kityo added.
Kityo also questioned the authority of World Netball in the matter, stating, “It’s not within the mandate of World Netball to dissolve the Uganda Netball Federation.”
Despite the ongoing changes, Kityo made it clear she has no intention of participating in the new administration.
“I have no interest in Netball Uganda. I have no intention of running for Presidency of that thing,” she said.
However, Kityo and other UNF officials have faced criticism from players and club administrators, who accuse them of political maneuvering at the expense of the sport.
The suspension of the national netball league for almost two years has left players unable to compete, sparking frustration within the netball community. These critics argue that the internal disputes have stalled the development of the sport and sidelined the athletes.
The situation has left Ugandan netball in a state of uncertainty, with tensions between the old federation and the new governing body likely to continue as the October 26 elections approach.
