USL clubs demand transparency
Aug 09, 2011
AS vast sums of sponsorship funds flow into the Uganda Super League, clubs have called for more transparency from those brokering the deals.
By James Bakama
What clubs want:
- Election of a new board
- Restructure of USL
- Recognition of new member clubs
- More transparency
- Study of funding contracts
- Audited accounts
- Amendments in memorandum and articles of association
AS vast sums of sponsorship funds flow into the Uganda Super League, clubs have called for more transparency from those brokering the deals.
Clubs not only want to be involved in negotiations, but also want to be availed with all sponsorship contracts.
The concerns follow a sh2.2bn naming rights deal that USL Ltd has just sealed with Uganda Breweries. USL also has a $5m (sh13bn) five- year broadcasting rights deal with SuperSport besides also enjoying $90,000(sh234m) Ecobank funding.
The super league clubs in a meeting at the FUFA offices in Mengo yesterday, noted that much as the funding is good, they have been kept in the dark.
“The clubs have resolved that the board calls an assembly by August 15 to address transparency and also amend USL’s articles,†Jinja Declaration Committee chairman Richard Omongole stated. Some of the clubs were particularly concerned by the board’s swift switch from Nile to Uganda Breweries (UBL). USL had until last week been in talks with the Jinja brewers to sponsor the league.
But USL officials Kavuma Kabenge (chairman) and Fred Muwema embraced the Luzira company after it came up with what they said was a better offer. Nile has accordingly threatened court action, though Kabenge and Muwema are unruffled on grounds that a contract was yet to be signed.
While the clubs concur that this controversy would probably never have come up if they had been consulted, they also conceded that Kabenge and Muwema were legally empowered to negotiate on behalf of the board.
An article in USL’s rules empowers any two members to conduct business on behalf of the five man board.
UBL board chairman Allan Shonubi had earlier at a function in Luzira stated:
“We are sure that whatever we invest will be put to good use.â€
What clubs want:
- Election of a new board
- Restructure of USL
- Recognition of new member clubs
- More transparency
- Study of funding contracts
- Audited accounts
- Amendments in memorandum and articles of association
AS vast sums of sponsorship funds flow into the Uganda Super League, clubs have called for more transparency from those brokering the deals.
Clubs not only want to be involved in negotiations, but also want to be availed with all sponsorship contracts.
The concerns follow a sh2.2bn naming rights deal that USL Ltd has just sealed with Uganda Breweries. USL also has a $5m (sh13bn) five- year broadcasting rights deal with SuperSport besides also enjoying $90,000(sh234m) Ecobank funding.
The super league clubs in a meeting at the FUFA offices in Mengo yesterday, noted that much as the funding is good, they have been kept in the dark.
“The clubs have resolved that the board calls an assembly by August 15 to address transparency and also amend USL’s articles,†Jinja Declaration Committee chairman Richard Omongole stated. Some of the clubs were particularly concerned by the board’s swift switch from Nile to Uganda Breweries (UBL). USL had until last week been in talks with the Jinja brewers to sponsor the league.
But USL officials Kavuma Kabenge (chairman) and Fred Muwema embraced the Luzira company after it came up with what they said was a better offer. Nile has accordingly threatened court action, though Kabenge and Muwema are unruffled on grounds that a contract was yet to be signed.
While the clubs concur that this controversy would probably never have come up if they had been consulted, they also conceded that Kabenge and Muwema were legally empowered to negotiate on behalf of the board.
An article in USL’s rules empowers any two members to conduct business on behalf of the five man board.
UBL board chairman Allan Shonubi had earlier at a function in Luzira stated:
“We are sure that whatever we invest will be put to good use.â€