West was key
Dec 13, 2005
LAWRENCE Mulindwa, the FUFA president-to-be, is disappointed that his only challenger Chris Rwanika pulled out at the last moment.
By Sabiiti Muwanga
LAWRENCE Mulindwa, the FUFA president-to-be, is disappointed that his only challenger Chris Rwanika pulled out at the last moment.
“I did not want him to pull out. He has been mooting that idea for quite long,†Mulindwa said.
“He (Rwanika) has been sending messages proposing that he pulls out on condition that I guarantee him a post on the executive, but I have always asked him to continue. I wanted the ballot to give the verdict.â€
But Rwanika told the press he withdrew his candidature in a spirit of reconciliation and to bring back normalcy to Ugandan football.
Sources close to the Rwanika camp revealed that the former civil servant decided to withdraw after he sensed that he was destined for a heavy defeat and wanted to save face.
This was after delegates from his home region (western) backed Mulindwa and asked him not to include Rwanika on the executive because he had done nothing for his constituency, Kabale, in the 30 years he has been in soccer administration.
According to the source, the western delegates met Mulindwa at the weekend. Goodluck Katabarwa from Kabale requested Mulindwa to have Rwanika on his executive.
But Richard Barigye from Rukungiri vehemently opposed the idea and Mulindwa asked the issue to be put to a vote where the delegates dismissed Rwanika.
Rwanika’s confidants at the meeting are said to have alerted him of the proceedings. Rwanika had at the weekend promised a ‘shock victory’, saying Mulindwa was not on the ground.
“It is actually Rwanika who is not on the ground. Being on the ground does not mean staying in Kampala and sending text phone messages to delegates,†was Mulindwa’s response. He was correct, and Rwanika quit the race on Monday, five days to the elections at Didi’s World this weekend.
LAWRENCE Mulindwa, the FUFA president-to-be, is disappointed that his only challenger Chris Rwanika pulled out at the last moment.
“I did not want him to pull out. He has been mooting that idea for quite long,†Mulindwa said.
“He (Rwanika) has been sending messages proposing that he pulls out on condition that I guarantee him a post on the executive, but I have always asked him to continue. I wanted the ballot to give the verdict.â€
But Rwanika told the press he withdrew his candidature in a spirit of reconciliation and to bring back normalcy to Ugandan football.
Sources close to the Rwanika camp revealed that the former civil servant decided to withdraw after he sensed that he was destined for a heavy defeat and wanted to save face.
This was after delegates from his home region (western) backed Mulindwa and asked him not to include Rwanika on the executive because he had done nothing for his constituency, Kabale, in the 30 years he has been in soccer administration.
According to the source, the western delegates met Mulindwa at the weekend. Goodluck Katabarwa from Kabale requested Mulindwa to have Rwanika on his executive.
But Richard Barigye from Rukungiri vehemently opposed the idea and Mulindwa asked the issue to be put to a vote where the delegates dismissed Rwanika.
Rwanika’s confidants at the meeting are said to have alerted him of the proceedings. Rwanika had at the weekend promised a ‘shock victory’, saying Mulindwa was not on the ground.
“It is actually Rwanika who is not on the ground. Being on the ground does not mean staying in Kampala and sending text phone messages to delegates,†was Mulindwa’s response. He was correct, and Rwanika quit the race on Monday, five days to the elections at Didi’s World this weekend.