Uganda Football governing body FUFA has suspended all matches involving Express FC following the chaotic scenes from their Uganda Premier League match against UPDF in Bombo on Friday, October 27. 

Referees through their umbrella body Uganda Football Referees Association (UFRA) on Saturday vowed not to officiate matches involving Express after assistant referee Fahad Sekayiba was allegedly attacked by the club’s fans. 

“The FUFA Executive Committee has suspended all matches involving Express FC with immediate effect until an amicable solution on the safety and security of referees is found following ugly scenes of their Uganda Premier League match against UPDF,” FUFA said on Sunday. 

“Uganda Football Referees Association (UFRA) has consequently decided that their members (Referees) shall not be available for matches involving Express FC. Express FC shall be required to co-operate with investigations by FUFA and the authorities in order to identify the culprits alleged to have assaulted the referee after the game,” the statement adds.

FUFA said the decision was taken in the best interest of football and to see that the culprits are brought to book.  

The move comes just hours after the governing body broke its silence on the matter, by announcing that disciplinary proceedings had been opened against Express FC.

“Express FC has to submit a written statement to the FUFA Disciplinary Panel on Monday 30th October 2023 by 12:00 pm to clarify, contend, or dispute the actions and show cause why they should not be sanctioned according to the regulations,” FUFA communications director Ahmed Hussein said in a statement on Saturday. 

Dragged from car 

Sekayiba, who was one of the officials during the Uganda Premier League match that ended in a 1-1 draw in Bombo, was allegedly intercepted in Matugga after the match, dragged out of the car in which match officials were travelling, and beaten. 

“On behalf of Uganda Football Referees Association and the whole referees’ fraternity in Uganda, I bring forward an act of hooliganism, barbaric and murderous behaviour the Express FC supporters/fans displayed against referee Fahad Sekayiba after the UPDF vs Express league game at Matugga along the Gulu Highway.  

“Express supporters waylaid a car in which referees were travelling and removed the assistant referee and beat him to near death. He is now admitted to Mulago Hospital in critical condition. The purpose of this letter is to inform you that UFRA has decided to withdraw all match officials from officiating football matches involving Express FC until the culprits are brought to book," read a letter from UFRA CEO Godffrey Kimbugwe. 

According to reports, the hooligans also went on to vandalise the vehicle plus attack match assessor Denis Batte.  

Express has come out to distance itself from the violent scenes. 

“Express FC is deeply saddened and angered by the alleged attack on referee Fahad Ssekayiba after the match (UPDF VS EXPRESS) in Bombo on 27.10.2023. The club disassociates itself from any form of hooliganism and condemns this act of violence in the strongest possible terms. The club is aware that the alleged attack took place on the referee's way home from the match and is not affiliated with the club in any way,” the club said. 

“Express FC is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for all fans, players, and officials, and violence has no place in football. The club is working closely with FUFA and the Police to investigate this incident and bring the perpetrators to justice," read a statement from Express. 

More incidents 

Just last week, the FUFA Disciplinary Panel sanctioned several players and officials to answer cases concerning violating competition rules and regulations, with many concerning attacks on referees. 

For instance, Wakiso Giants defender Bashir Asiku was handed a five-match ban and a sh500,000 fine following his actions after the match against URA FC on October 21 in Lugazi.  

Asiku attacked the match officials at the end of the game while in the dressing room, hit the window of the room and shattered glass. In the process, match officials were injured. 

In a league encounter between Mbarara City and NEC at Kakyeka Stadium in September, Mbarara assistant coach Ayub Balyejusa was fined sh500,000 for attacking the match assessor at the end of the match while Gaddafi FC chairman Edrine Ochieng was fined sh2m after he punched, kicked and hurled insults at the referee’s assessor. 

Busoga United captain Charles Sunday Mulanda who is yet to be sanctioned, allegedly head-butted the referee shortly after being sent off in Busoga's 1-0 victory over Gaddafi.