Why Nyangweso will remain UOC boss
Jan 25, 2009
THERE is nothing that boosts a competitor more than knowledge of a fragmented opposition. Major General Francis Were Nyangweso, as always, is enjoying such an advantage four days to an election that will make him Uganda’s longest serving sports administ
I SAY SO - By James Bakama
THERE is nothing that boosts a competitor more than knowledge of a fragmented opposition. Major General Francis Were Nyangweso, as always, is enjoying such an advantage four days to an election that will make him Uganda’s longest serving sports administrator.
The Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) boss, who has been at the helm since 1981, seeks another four-year term well aware that his rival Moses Twesigye-Omwe is launching his bid from shaky ground.
The former UOC vice-chairman, according to reliable sources, lacks the endorsement of the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF), where he is an executive member.
Not that I doubt his potential, but the fact that UAF has vice-presidents Dominic Otuchet and Omwony Okot as its UOC delegates waters down Twesigye-Omwe’s bid.
A timid electorate, part of which comprises briefcase associations that would rather enjoy hand-outs than rock the boat, is more reason Nyangweso should laugh all the way to the vote.
FUFA, which would have been Nyangweso’s biggest threat, seems to have so much on its plate to engage in battles elsewhere.
FUFA boss Lawrence Mulindwa not only has to constantly keep looking over his shoulder to ensure his own enemies are at bay, but is also not hungry like the bulk of the other UOC affiliates. Besides a $1m grant every four years, FUFA also has the juicy Goal Project fund and corporate sponsorship.
Boxing would be Nyangweso’s other source of fear. It’s from here that the General came from in a meteoric rise to UOC and IOC. But UABF boss Roger Ddungu, currently holding the UOC vice presidency previously held by Twesigye-Omwe, has made it very clear that for as long as Nyangweso is around, he can’t even dare think of the chairmanship.
You might call Ddungu a coward but he could also be a wise man considering Nyangweso’s demi-god status.
No wonder even the ministry of education and sports once tried to dislodge him — and failed!
jbakama@newvision.co.ug
THERE is nothing that boosts a competitor more than knowledge of a fragmented opposition. Major General Francis Were Nyangweso, as always, is enjoying such an advantage four days to an election that will make him Uganda’s longest serving sports administrator.
The Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) boss, who has been at the helm since 1981, seeks another four-year term well aware that his rival Moses Twesigye-Omwe is launching his bid from shaky ground.
The former UOC vice-chairman, according to reliable sources, lacks the endorsement of the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF), where he is an executive member.
Not that I doubt his potential, but the fact that UAF has vice-presidents Dominic Otuchet and Omwony Okot as its UOC delegates waters down Twesigye-Omwe’s bid.
A timid electorate, part of which comprises briefcase associations that would rather enjoy hand-outs than rock the boat, is more reason Nyangweso should laugh all the way to the vote.
FUFA, which would have been Nyangweso’s biggest threat, seems to have so much on its plate to engage in battles elsewhere.
FUFA boss Lawrence Mulindwa not only has to constantly keep looking over his shoulder to ensure his own enemies are at bay, but is also not hungry like the bulk of the other UOC affiliates. Besides a $1m grant every four years, FUFA also has the juicy Goal Project fund and corporate sponsorship.
Boxing would be Nyangweso’s other source of fear. It’s from here that the General came from in a meteoric rise to UOC and IOC. But UABF boss Roger Ddungu, currently holding the UOC vice presidency previously held by Twesigye-Omwe, has made it very clear that for as long as Nyangweso is around, he can’t even dare think of the chairmanship.
You might call Ddungu a coward but he could also be a wise man considering Nyangweso’s demi-god status.
No wonder even the ministry of education and sports once tried to dislodge him — and failed!
jbakama@newvision.co.ug