FMU lifts six-year ban on drivers

By Douglas Mazune                                

The Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) has lifted the controversial six-year suspension of three top drivers.

FMU lifted Nasser Mutebi, Duncan Mubiru and John Burrows suspension Thursday night after a reconciliatory meeting chaired by renowned city lawyer MacDosman Kabega.

Kabega is one of the elders in motorsport.

The Uganda Rally Drivers Club (UMRDC) and FMU came to a negotiating table after court advised the two parties to consider the option of dialogue.

The three drivers who were accused of sabotaging the sport had dragged FMU to court challenging the decision.

The meeting held in Kabega’s chambers at Kololo was attended by neutral parties like former FMU president Jack Wavamunno and former national champion Moses Lumala.

According to a source that attended the meeting, t was resolved that FMU lifts the ban immediately while the drivers withdraw the case.

Omar Mayanja who spoke on behalf of drivers is said to have listed issues which led to the fall-out between the federation and drivers’ club.

A source told New Vision that a reconciliation committee will be formed to tackle matters that caused the rift.

“We shall articulate our issues properly when our hands are free. The lifting of the ban has only set an enabling environment to discuss a lot of issues that even concern other stakeholders,” said a driver who preferred anonymity.

The three drivers were banned in July for sabotaging the sport when they criticized the track at Festino Cite and discouraged fans and other competitors from attending the sprint.

The trio argued that the suspension was wrong and pleaded to court to nullify the suspension, order for their compensation and the defendant to pay legal costs.