Ugandans pray for Fabrice Muamba

By Usher Komugisha

Ugandan sports administrators, sports lovers and journalists have joined the world to pray for DR Congo international and Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba who suffered cardiac arrest on Saturday afternoon in Tottenham.

Talking to the gathering at the National Council of Sports (NCS) offices at Lugogo this morning, Reverend Moses Henry Isabirye of St. Andrews, Bukoto expressed concern, “This gesture shows that we all need each other. God is always at the center of everything so we need Him.”

Like every other Ugandan watching the game over the weekend, the question still stands-what would have happened if it had happened to a Ugandan football player?

FUFA’s CEO Edgar Watson explained that the football governing body in Uganda in conjunction with the federation’s medical committee led by Dr. James Ssekajugo was going to look into this matter according to the 2010 Jinja Declaration.

“We started with first aiders and now we have to upgrade. Clubs have to make sure that they hire trained medical personnel alongside physiotherapists to take care of such incidents,” added Watson.

Only two clubs in the Bell Uganda Super League have medical insurance with SC Villa hiring AAR while Water Football Club has a partnership with Kampala International Hospital. A few URA players have medical insurance as well.

The event organizer, Patrick Kanyomozi said this was an opportunity to join the world to pray for Muamba who hails from neighbouring Congo, born in Kinshasa and a way to involve authorities to prepare for a similar situation.   

Uganda Footballers’ Association interim chairperson Daniel Walusimbi also added his voice to the cause, “This is one of the issues we are advocating for. As a player, we honestly are okay at the mercy of God. We are calling upon clubs to put aside money to cater for a qualified doctor.”

NCS official Samuel Walusimbi who played three One Day International games at the 1975 Cricket World Cup revealed that for the over 30 years that he played cricket in Uganda and on the international scene, he had never gone for a medical check-up.

"This is an eye opener because this can happen to any football player across the world, actually even to a spectator," added Walusimbi who advised the other sports federations to borrow a leaf from rugby.

The Uganda Rugby Union does not allow any game to go on without an ambulance and medical personnel. Kyadondo rugby club has a partnership deal with The Surgery hospital while Kampala Rugby Club has one with St. Catherines hospital.