UFRA to lock out defaulting referees

Jul 23, 2008

LOCAL referees yet to pay their subscription fees to their umbrella body will be locked out of the pre-season fitness test at Mandela Stadium, Namboole on Saturday. The warning was issued by the Uganda Football Referees' Association (UFRA) on Wednesday.

By Swalley Kenyi and Norman Katende

LOCAL referees yet to pay their subscription fees to their umbrella body will be locked out of the pre-season fitness test at Mandela Stadium, Namboole on Saturday. The warning was issued by the Uganda Football Referees' Association (UFRA) on Wednesday.

UFRA secretary Davis Katabira said that referees have persistently dodged the $10 (sh16,000) annual subscription but warned that defaulters will be locked out on Saturday.

“The UFRA executive has resolved that the tests must be strictly for paid up members. It is against the Referees’ Code of Conduct to enjoy privileges that you have not paid for,” Katabira (pictured left) said.

FUFA referees committee chairman Haruna Mpangire said he expects 77 referees, including an American, to turn up for the test after which 60 officials will be picked to handle Super League matches.

Centre referee Liburd Masembe is expected to return for Super League duty after serving a five-month ban.

But the fate of his colleagues Festus Kirumira and Michael Isabirye is in balance since the federation has remained silent on their appeals.

Meanwhile, fixture congestion may soon become a thing of the past after a record 13 grounds were registered for use by the 18 Super League clubs for the 2008/09 season which gets underway on August 2.

The grounds registered include Nakivubo, Namboole, Luzira, Bombo, Masindi, Lira, Saza Ground in Iganga, Ntenjeru, Buikwe, Kakindu, Muteesa II and Kakyeka stadium.

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