Express Make U-TURN
Nov 12, 2009
THE case filed by Express FC against local football body FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa, chief executive Edgar Watson and returning officer Patrick Okanya took a new twist yesterday with the plaintiff opting for an out of court settlement.
By Douglas Mazune, JAMES BAKAMA, Edward Anyoli and Swalley Kenyi
THE case filed by Express FC against local football body FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa, chief executive Edgar Watson and returning officer Patrick Okanya took a new twist yesterday with the plaintiff opting for an out of court settlement.
After making his submission, a shocked Fred Muwema sunk in his seat when FUFA lawyer Godfrey Nsamba threw in a spanner.
He instead rose to oppose the application for an amicable settlement.
Nsamba expressed discontent with the negotiation process, saying his clients had not involved him.
“I don’t think this is a proper spirit to reach an agreement in a serious matter like this. As a lawyer representing the three officials I ought to have been involved in this negotiation,†Nsamba said.
Express had challenged the legality of FUFA’s existence and consequently questioned Mulindwa, Watson and Okanya’s eligibility to run football activities in Uganda.
Express, however, softened its stand when the case came up for hearing before Justice Vincent Zehurikize in the Kampala High Court.
City advocate, Muwema representing Express, told court that negotiations were going on between his client and FUFA to settle the case out of court.
Muwema said that in a couple of days the matter would have been settled and have a consent judgement that will see the dispute completely resolved.
A distraught Nsamba, who said he was informed about the negotiations the previous night, walked out of the court premises.
Outside court, Nsamba said he was yet to weigh the option of pulling out of the case.
Earlier, justice Zehurikize said he was interested in the parties settling the case amicably and asked them to report to him on November 24.
Mulindwa and Okanya were absent while Express official Kavuma Kabenge attended the proceedings.
A small group of football fans peacefully waited outside court and spoke to Muwema who assured them that the dispute would be settled soon.
At the same time, FUFA chief executive officer Edgar Watson has updated world soccer governing body FIFA on the national body’s electoral process.
Watson submitted a 20- page report on Tuesday on request of FIFA assistant director of member associations and development Cristina Cano.
On behalf of FIFA’s director of member associations and development Thierry Regenass, Cano on November 2, wrote to Watson requesting for a progress report.
This, followed a complaint by Kabale district delegate Godfrey Kwizera.
“We would appreciate if you sent us an (election) report in order to inform us about the current situation (in FUFA),†the two paragraph letter to Watson read in part.
Kwizera is a FUFA presidential hopeful, who twice failed to turn up for nominations saying that the electoral process was flouted.
FUFA boss Lawrence Mulindwa has been nominated for the federation’s elective assembly due on November 28.
THE case filed by Express FC against local football body FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa, chief executive Edgar Watson and returning officer Patrick Okanya took a new twist yesterday with the plaintiff opting for an out of court settlement.
After making his submission, a shocked Fred Muwema sunk in his seat when FUFA lawyer Godfrey Nsamba threw in a spanner.
He instead rose to oppose the application for an amicable settlement.
Nsamba expressed discontent with the negotiation process, saying his clients had not involved him.
“I don’t think this is a proper spirit to reach an agreement in a serious matter like this. As a lawyer representing the three officials I ought to have been involved in this negotiation,†Nsamba said.
Express had challenged the legality of FUFA’s existence and consequently questioned Mulindwa, Watson and Okanya’s eligibility to run football activities in Uganda.
Express, however, softened its stand when the case came up for hearing before Justice Vincent Zehurikize in the Kampala High Court.
City advocate, Muwema representing Express, told court that negotiations were going on between his client and FUFA to settle the case out of court.
Muwema said that in a couple of days the matter would have been settled and have a consent judgement that will see the dispute completely resolved.
A distraught Nsamba, who said he was informed about the negotiations the previous night, walked out of the court premises.
Outside court, Nsamba said he was yet to weigh the option of pulling out of the case.
Earlier, justice Zehurikize said he was interested in the parties settling the case amicably and asked them to report to him on November 24.
Mulindwa and Okanya were absent while Express official Kavuma Kabenge attended the proceedings.
A small group of football fans peacefully waited outside court and spoke to Muwema who assured them that the dispute would be settled soon.
At the same time, FUFA chief executive officer Edgar Watson has updated world soccer governing body FIFA on the national body’s electoral process.
Watson submitted a 20- page report on Tuesday on request of FIFA assistant director of member associations and development Cristina Cano.
On behalf of FIFA’s director of member associations and development Thierry Regenass, Cano on November 2, wrote to Watson requesting for a progress report.
This, followed a complaint by Kabale district delegate Godfrey Kwizera.
“We would appreciate if you sent us an (election) report in order to inform us about the current situation (in FUFA),†the two paragraph letter to Watson read in part.
Kwizera is a FUFA presidential hopeful, who twice failed to turn up for nominations saying that the electoral process was flouted.
FUFA boss Lawrence Mulindwa has been nominated for the federation’s elective assembly due on November 28.