Trouble brewing in local football

By Charles Mutebi

Local football could be plunged into another crisis following secret attempts by governing body FUFA to redirect payments from Uganda Premier League sponsors Azam to new accounts without the knowledge of Premier League clubs.

New Vision has learnt that FUFA formally requested league sponsors Azam last month to make future payments to any of two new accounts without the knowledge of FUFA Super League Limited (FSL ltd), the clubs’ legal entity in the original three-party deal.

In a letter dated July 7 2015 and addressed to the Chief Executive of Azam Media Limited Rhys Torrington, FUFA Chief Executive Offi cer Edgar Watson writes, “As you might be aware, the mandate to run the Uganda Premier League was withdrawn from the FSL and currently run under supervision of the FUFA CEO Office.

“The FUFA executive committee of 15th April 2015 passed that a bank account be opened in order to facilitate the smooth running of the league operations.”

The missive goes on to list two accounts, one in Centenary Bank and another in Citibank N.A New York where the payments should be deposited.

But in subsequent inquiries with FSL Ltd, Azam was informed that FUFA’s request did not have the backing of Premier League clubs and was in breach of the agreement the three parties signed on December 27th, 2014.

FSL unhappy
 

Here, Omungole talks to Rhys as FUFA boss Magogo looks on during the unveiling of the Azam sponsorship last year. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

FSL secretary Richard Omongole e-mailed Azam CEO Torrington — copying in FUFA CEO Edgar Watson — saying, “As you are very much aware, the contract signed on the 27th December 2014, clearly states that all the payments in respect of the said contract are to be made to FUFA SUPERLEAGUE LTD. a duly registered company.

He adds: “Its shillings account and later dollar accounts were provided to you. The said contract further stipulated that in case of any changes to the said agreement, it must be agreed by all the three parties.

“To our recollection no such changes have been agreed as yet. It therefore means that all payments must still be made to FSL. I also further draw your attention to the said signatories of the said agreement. There was no such an organ as Uganda premier league.”

Outraged, Omongole asserted that: “The position of FSL as a contracting party is that the said demand for payment by FUFA CEO to Uganda premier league be ignored and if it’s already in the process kindly stop the same. It’s in breach of the said agreement”.

He warns, “Please be cautioned that if the same is ignored, FSL will with immediate action seek for the intervention of the courts of law for an action of breach of contract against both Azam and FUFA”.

Attempts to reach Watson for a reaction on the development were futile as he did not answer his phone.