Squash fraternity petitions NCS challenges USRA’s new executive

A group of stakeholders, including players, coaches, referees, club representatives, officials, and former leaders of the Uganda Squash Rackets Association (USRA), has petitioned the National Council of Sports to intervene urgently over serious concerns regarding the association's constitution, governance, elections, and financial accountability.

Their appeal follows what they describe as a hastily conducted election for new leaders, which saw Bbale Isa Seremba elected president alongside a nine-member executive during a special meeting at the Rock Classic Hotel in Tororo Municipality in May.

The petitioners insist they are acting in the public interest to safeguard democratic governance, transparency, accountability, inclusiveness, fairness, and the long-term development of squash in Uganda.

They warn that the current governance crisis at USRA jeopardises both members' rights and Uganda's standing with regional and international sports bodies. Among their grievances are questions over the legality of the amended 2025 Constitution, the validity of individual member removals, the exclusion of key stakeholders from decision-making, the legitimacy of elections held under the disputed Constitution, and unresolved financial matters.

The petitioners are demanding clarity on whether the 2025 Constitution was lawfully adopted, whether members were removed without due process, whether the amendments followed the previous Constitution, whether the Tororo elections were valid, and whether an independent review of governance and finances is necessary.

"USRA has to demonstrate that its constitution was lawfully amended; proper notice and participation were given; existing constitutional procedures were followed; genuine and properly registered clubs were used; and the changes complied with the Squash Federation of Africa and World Squash Federation statutes; and the election was conducted by properly constituted members," the petition reads in part.

However, Seremba has dismissed the petition, insisting that his election was conducted in line with the new sports act. He explained that the process is straightforward, but some parties are objecting because they want squash confined to a single area—Kampala.

He clarified that the general assembly delegates who elected the new executive were representatives from districts across the country where the sport has a presence, whereas the objectors prefer delegates to be members of a single club, a stance he says contradicts the direction set by the National Sports Act.

Seremba noted that the constitutional changes were intended to align USRA's governing document with the National Sports Act, which mandates that all sports federations and associations must comply with it. "The changes made to the association's constitution were to bring it into compliance with the National Act, as a constitution cannot contradict the governing national legislation," he stated.

He further explained that approving constitutional changes requires delegates representing the districts of Uganda, not just members of one club. "So, it is just a question of interpretation. They are just refusing to accept that Uganda as a country took a different direction vis-à-vis regulating sports. That is what is disturbing them."

When asked if the objectors were invited and failed to attend, Seremba confirmed that Kampala district was represented, adding that Kampala does not have just one sports club. "For them, they want to be the privileged club that runs the game of squash in Uganda contrary to the law," he charged.

In February, the Squash Federation of Africa (SFA) suspended USRA following the mismanagement of the Squash Federation of Africa Championships 2025, which Uganda hosted in Kampala from November 17 to 22, 2025. The SFA suspended USRA and called for fresh elections, an external audit to be conducted under the National Council of Sports, and the establishment of an interim committee, promising to revisit the suspension once all conditions were met.

The organisation of the high-profile event left much to be desired, raising key operational, administrative, and disciplinary concerns as highlighted in reports from tournament referee Prince Mukuka Junior from Zimbabwe and the SFA executive board led by president Dr. Lucky Mlilo.

But Seremba dismissed those concerns as administrative matters currently being addressed. "There was some kind of misunderstanding, miscommunication, but we are sorting them out. We shall come to a logical conclusion of that very soon," Bbaale stated.