The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has banned 12 individuals from all football-related activities for their involvement in match manipulation schemes.
This follows investigations that exposed a wide-ranging network of corruption in Ugandan football.
The scandal first came to light in June this year when FUFA issued 90-day suspensions to 13 individuals, including 10 referees, 2 football administrators, and 1 player, after the Investigatory Chamber of the federation’s Ethics and Disciplinary Committee received alerts.
The alerts indicated that matches in the 2023/24 FUFA Big League and FUFA Women’s Super League (now Finance Trust FUFA Women’s Super League) were being targeted for manipulation by an organised criminal syndicate based in South Africa.
The suspensions served as a preliminary measure, allowing FUFA to investigate further.
Now, in accordance with Article 78 of the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Code 2023, the federation has concluded its internal investigations, resulting in bans of varying lengths for 12 individuals.
Among those banned is former referee Kaddu Ali who has received a lifetime ban.
Kaddu, who has a history of controversy, was previously suspended in December 2021 for disallowing a legitimate goal scored by Steven Mukwala during URA’s 6-1 victory over Tooro United.
Despite the suspension, which barred him from officiating Uganda Premier League matches, Kaddu continued to officiate in other leagues, including the FUFA Big League, Regional Leagues, and Uganda Cup Preliminary Rounds.
Investigations revealed that Kaddu was the leader of the match-fixing cartel.
Between October and December 2023, he approached and recruited club officials, players, and referees to participate in fixing matches.
His actions, carried out in coordination with the South African-based syndicate, were central to the corruption uncovered by FUFA.
In addition to Kaddu’s lifetime ban, 11 others have been banned for varying periods, including referee Geoffrey Sajjabi, who has been banned for 10 years.
Other referees banned include Atuheirwe Joyce, Nabisera Tausi, Okello Simon Peter, Nantantya Godwin, Muyaga Khalid, Noor Hassan and Atuhaire Dorcus, receiving bans ranging from 1 to 3 years.
Former BUL CEO Ahmed Kongola has received a 5-year ban, together with Epieru Richard, and former Lugazi player Kiyemba Latif, who have received 3-year and 1-year bans respectively.
Notably, referee Ichilla Samuel, who was among the 13 individuals suspended in June, has been pardoned, as investigations found no further evidence implicating him in the match-fixing scheme.
List of Sanctions:
1. Kaddu Ali – Lifetime ban
2. Geoffrey Sajjabi – 10 years
3. Ahmed Kongola – 5 years
4. Epieru Richard – 3 years
5. Atuheirwe Joyce – 3 years
6. Nabisera Tausi – 3 years
7. Okello Simon Peter – 3 years
8. Nantantya Godwin – 3 years
9. Muyaga Khalid – 2 years
10. Noor Hassan – 1 year
11. Kiyemba Latif – 1 year
12. Atuhaire Dorcus – 1 year
