Odongkara bounces back as referee boss

By Johnson Were

The rugby referee society (URRS) boss will focus on training more level 3 referees, referee coaches and referee educators in his four year term of office that end 2019.

Denis Odongkara disclosed this in his acceptance speech after he was re-elected URRS chairman for the second term unopposed.

David Kirabira had expressed interest in the same post of chairman after he was nominated by Christine Kizito who however turned out to be a non-paid up member and besides, Kirabira was absent.

"We shall focus on training more level 3 referees, educators and coaches so that we can compete at the regional level to handle international games," Odongkara stated.

Today Uganda has only two level 3 referees but Odongkara said he is targeting eight by 2016 referees and more educators.

"We are putting Collins Mulindwa aka "kerekere", Denis Anguyo, Joseph Kabayi, and Sauda Adiru on standby for level 3 courses this year," Odongkara added.

He promised to pursue issues of URU interfering with their work with the chairman and during the URU AGM as they wait for next step by National Council of sports.

Last week URRS petitioned NCS over URU's interference in their work and failure to pay their wages amounting to sh54.4m since the 2013 season.

Richard Akena, Kirunda Basadhansolo, Rosenberg Kanyunyuzi, and Jacko Chagga were also re-elected to office as vice chairman, secretary, treasurer and development manager respectively unopposed.

Regina Lunyolo was appointed chairperson appointments and allocation committee.