LAWRENCE Mulindwa is headed for a second four-year term as Federation of Uganda Football Associations president.
No one showed up to challenge Mulindwa even after presidential nominations were extended by two days.
“I’ve closed nominations. I can officially say Mulindwa is the only candidate,” announced returning officer Patrick Okanya after the 5pm deadline yesterday.
He explained that he couldn’t further extend the exercise to the floor of the November 14 elective assembly as had been requested by the Godfrey Kwizera camp. Kwizera had been tipped to challenge Mulindwa for the presidency.
“There is a limit to nomination and campaign time in every election,” said Okanya.
The Kabale delegate, who on Saturday had made a nomination booking of 3pm but didn’t show up, yesterday vowed to challenge the process in court.
“We are going to court. Okanya should have advertised the electoral guidelines in the media. You can’t just ambush people. There was simply no time table,” complained Kwizera.
Kwizera refuted claims that he failed to get districts to back his bid. “I had Mbale, Nakawa, EXIFA, Moyo and others,” he countered.
Closure of nominations means Mulindwa is now only waiting for the November 14 assembly in Arua to endorse his presidency.
Mulindwa, who is due to launch his manifesto at Serena Hotel tomorrow, had earlier in the day challenged those accusing him of misusing the federation’s funds to raise the matter in the right forum.
“If they are raising a criminal matter, why don’t they go to police, CID or DPP,” said Mulindwa, adding that before FUFA’s financial statements are released they are professionally audited.
Former FUFA delegate Goodluck Musinguzi filed a criminal case against Mulindwa, FUFA CEO Edgar Watson and the vice president (finance) Jowali Kyeyago for failure to account for sh972m.
“I am also a straight man, and I’m ready to defend myself and FUFA,” Mulindwa told a press conference at the federation’s headquarters in Mengo.
He also scoffed at claims that he is in the NRM opposition. “They’ve kept guessing. At one time they labelled me FDC, then UPC and DP. Very soon it could be KY. But let me assure these self seekers that no one will scare me out of the movement.”
He said detractors were trying to create a rift between him and the government, which he said has been very supportive to the federation.
