The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The National Sports Bill will help to curb match-fixing in Uganda according to Moses Magogo, the President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations-FUFA.
This comes a week after the Bugiri Municipality MP, Asuman Basalirwa tabled the National Sports Bill before parliament for its first reading. The object of the Bill is to repeal the National Council of Sports Act. Cap 48 to establish the Uganda Sports Commission.
The proposed law intends to consolidate and modernize laws relating to the incorporation and registration of national sports organizations and community sports clubs as well as the management, promotion, development, and regulation of professional, amateur, and recreational sports in Uganda.
Speaking to sports journalists under the Uganda Sports Press Association-USPA at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala Thursday, Magogo noted that the bill he sponsored will help address the problem of match-fixing not only in Uganda’s football but the entire sports sector in general.
Brian Miiro, the chair of the referees’ standing committee noted that they are often challenged whenever they receive complaints of match-fixing against referees without any proof.
For a long-time, Uganda’s football industry has been characterized by match-fixing. Often times, club officials, coaches, and players have been accused of taking part in match-fixing, which is dangerous to the development of the game.
In March 2022, FUFA banned the former Police FC Marketing and Sales Manager, Abraham Luzzi, local football coach James Kaweesa, and sports journalist David Isabirye from taking part in any kind of football activities at the National and International levels over match-fixing.
In April 2021, the former Uganda Premier League side, Kyetume FC indefinitely suspended three players including the goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa, defender Julius Ntambi and team captain Mustafa Mujjuzi, over allegations of match-fixing after the team lost to Kitara FC.
In December 2021, the former Nyamityobora FC patron Ali Sekatawa resigned amid allegations of match-fixing and sports betting. In his resignation letter, Sekatawa said that match-fixing and sports betting had marred football in Uganda including top leagues.
*****
URN
