The end justifies the means as Ddungu saves Peninnah at Gulu meet

By James Bakama

DOES the end always justify the means? This Machiavellian phrase was a source of debate at Uganda Olympic Committee’s general assembly in Gulu on Saturday.

Rather than draw celebrations from the entire UOC family, an international award that committee secretary General Peninnah Kabenge recently won sparked off queries.

Next week, Kabenge will be crowned with the IOC Women and Sport Award for Africa at a grand function in Los Angeles. Gabriel Oloka (shooting) noted that much as Kabenge had done Uganda proud, proper procedures had not been followed in her nomination for the award.

Oloka presents case

Oloka observed that the UOC affiliates were never informed of IOC’s request for entries. “Kabenge reserved the opportunity for herself in order to front herself as the only eligible candidate. That was abuse of office.”

As the assembly held its breath, executive committee member Sharifa Sanyu hastily came in defense saying she proposed Kabenge’s name. “There was no time to make consultations.”

But Oloka was not yet done. He presented documents showing that Kabenge also had UOC boss Roger Ddungu’s endorsement.

“I see your (Ddungu) signature. You are the only person who can put this matter to rest,” Oloka challenged Ddungu.

UOC boss intervenes

Ddungu requested for time to study the document during a tea break. His response got everyone off guard. “I am not the one who signed those documents,” he stressed.

Pursuing the matter further could have easily had Kabenge following the path taken by former vice presidents William Tumwiine and Abbey Mubiru and Treasurer Andrew Omalla. The trio resigned last year for abuse of office.

But Ddungu sensing a rift, instead promised to handle the matter within the executive.

Conflict of interest

Kabenge had earlier survived another scare. Her executive positions at both UOC and government body, National Council Sports, came under scrutiny. Olympic statutes stress that state or other public authorities are not supposed to designate national Olympic committee members.

Kabenge and her supporters however argued that she was in NCS on a basketball nomination, not a government appointment.

The by-elections had William Blick (rugby) edging Oloka to the vice presidency administration. UTTA boss Dennis Galabuzi took the technical vice presidency unopposed. Godfrey Nuwagaba beat Sadiq Nasiwu to the post of treasurer.