Player safety concerns raised after ambulance fails at Premier League match

Player safety has once again come under serious scrutiny in Ugandan football following a disturbing incident at Hamz Stadium Nakivubo during a Uganda Premier League match between Express FC and NEC FC on Tuesday.

The match ended in a goalless draw, but attention quickly shifted to NEC midfielder Richard Basangwa, who was involved in a serious incident that nearly turned tragic.

Basangwa was injured after a hard challenge involving Glory Kisule and collapsed on the pitch. He remained motionless for some time, causing panic among players, officials, and fans inside the stadium.

Medical personnel rushed onto the field to stabilize him, but the situation worsened when the stadium ambulance failed to respond.

According to Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) regulations, the home team must provide proper medical care, including a fully functional and well-equipped ambulance. This rule is meant to ensure a quick response in case of serious injuries.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Express FC acknowledged the seriousness of the incident and admitted there was a breakdown in emergency response.

"We regret the incident that happened during our fixture against NEC at home, where Richard Basangwa (NEC) collided with Glory Kisule and lost consciousness," the club said.

The club attributed the failure to an unexpected mechanical problem.

"He was to be further evacuated and rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, the ambulance got a flat tire, which is regrettable for the sport," the statement added.

Because of the delay, NEC officials were forced to improvise. A private vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser was driven onto the pitch, and Basangwa was carefully placed inside before being rushed to Case Hospital for urgent treatment.

NEC later confirmed that the player's condition had stabilized after receiving medical attention. The club revealed that Basangwa had been struck in the throat by an elbow during the incident.

"Richard Basangwa was struck in the throat by an elbow during the incident. He immediately experienced pain, along with difficulty breathing and speaking," NEC said.

"A paracetamol infusion was administered, and a CT scan was promptly carried out. The CT scan results came back negative, ruling out any serious internal damage. His condition has since improved significantly. He is now able to breathe more comfortably and can speak in a low but clear tone."