Mbabazi issues directive on FUFA

By Norman Katende

PRIME Minister Amama Mbabazi this afternoon ordered education and sports minister Jessica Alupo and all other government officials to consult FIFA on all actions that they want to take and will impact football in Uganda.

According to sources that attended the meeting held at Mbabazi’s office on Thursday afternoon with football stakeholders, he also advised that the fast tracking of the legal instrument that the ministry is trying to come up with should be checked and all parties concerned consulted for the good of sports development.

The meeting was called after outgoing FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa attacked what he called ‘self-seekers’ of trying to advocate for a FIFA ban when Uganda is on the brink of qualifying for the African Nations Championships.

Mbabazi said that the ban on Uganda should be avoided and ordered that consultations be done with all stakeholders before any decision can be reached.

Mbabazi apparently was also shocked that the NCS Act review was being done in a hurry, which raised suspicion of foul play following a brief presentation made by FUFA legal officer Alex Luganda.

He advised that the instrument that has spent over 40 years without existence cannot be rushed and advised those involved to take more time.

Mbabazi also called for further consultations with all the parties involved and agree on a single position rather than imposing rules on which would hinder the development of sports on the federations.

The meeting chaired by Mbabazi was attended by commissioner for sports Omara Apita, Luganda, FUFA CEO Edgar Watson, incoming FUFA president Moses Magogo, NCS Chairman John Bosco Onyik, NCS general secretary Jasper Aligawesa and NCS legal officer Charles Egou.