Athletics coach suspended, independent committee named

By Norman Katende

The Uganda Athletics Federation has today announced the suspension of Police coach Peter Wemale until the investigations on his conduct is finalised. Wemale has been accused of molesting young female athletes according to reports that were received by athletes.

“We are not saying that he is guilty but it is an administration process which  we have to take. Our motive is to see that the athlete, the only reason why athletics exists has the best environment   to nurture and perform to international level,” said  the Uganda athletics federation  president Domenic Otuchet.
Otuchet also named a team of four members to investigate the allegations.

The team will be given 30-working days to hand over their finding to the federation, which will be made public.
The team will be led by Beatrice Chelangat, the director of Reach Programme, which has been   fighting Female Genital Mutilation in the Sebei region.

She will be assisted by Freda Zena, a professional teacher and former manager of compassion International
The Committee will also have Rene Bukomeko Nanziri, who is working with the children NGO in Mpigi and Richard Baguma working with a UN NGO dealing with issues of gender.

“We believe that these people are independent and since they are dealing with children issues, they are the best to handle such investigations and also advise the young girls not only on the over the allegations but also motivate them to stand up and be counted,” said Otuchet.
The team is expected to come up with an inception report next week, onto which the terms of reference will be based on.