Uganda Olympic chief fights 'coup attempt'

By James Bakama

Uganda Olympic Committee boss Rogers Ddungu has scoffed at fellow executives who are questioning his management style and threatened to take disciplinary action against individuals behind what he termed a coup attempt.

Part of UOC's executive, led by vice president (administration) William Blick in a statement copied to world body IOC, recently accused Ddungu of running the committee like a personal entity.

The disgruntled members attributed squabbles in boxing and Uganda's poor Olympic preparations to Ddungu's management style. They also distanced themselves from his idea of a tribunal to hear petitions against some executives.

But a tough talking Ddungu, fresh from an IOC meeting in Russia, told a press conference that the group illegally constituted itself into an executive.

"The constitution clearly states that executive meetings can only be convened with the endorsement of the president. Likewise, it is the president who communicates to IOC. That's why IOC referred the group's petition back to me," stressed Ddungu.

The tribunal, to be launched tomorrow, will be headed by a retired judge to among other duties, make a ruling on an accusation of forgery against secretary Peninah Kabenge and a petition against the legality of Blick's presence on the executive.

"If anyone has issues, why not raise them in the tribunal. Why wait when I am away to start plotting?" Ddungu wondered, adding that he has the option of following up some of the petitions with Police.

"Whoever is supporting anyone who forged my signature would in this case become a party to the criminal proceedings," Ddungu warned.

He insisted that the duty of qualifying sportsmen for the Olympics solely falls on the respective federations. "UOC only takes over after athletes have hit the set standards."

Ddungu attributed Uganda's inability to send a team to the Olympics to the sports ministry. "UABF's electoral and Olympic registration process was delayed by the minister."

He also said NCS sabotaged an Olympic training scholarship for boxers Ronald Serugo and Atanus Mugerwa. Ddungu disaplayed a letter bearing NCS general secretary Jasper Aligawesa's signature recommending the two boxers for a trip to Norway last year.

The pugilists, together with a group of other people with no link to boxing, have never returned. "So, tell me who is failing boxing?"