Conceited FUFA chief riles MPs

By M. Walubiri and Umar Kashaka

Riled legislators Wednesday took exception to the “arrogance” of the president of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), Moses Magogo, with some attributing the protracted wrangles dogging Ugandan football to his haughty streak.

MPs on the Educations and Sports committee contend that such arrogance cannot generate consensus needed to diffuse wrangles in football, which has seen some people petition parliament and government, while others have taken the matters to court for adjudication.

Responding to a petition by Uganda Footballers Association (UFA) challenging the incorporation of FUFA as a private limited company, Magogo rubbed MPs the wrong way with a submission which many averred that it borders on arrogance.

Magogo tersely told MPs that “FUFA’s membership is by association” and since, as far as he is concerned the petitioners are not members of FUFA, they have no ground to challenge the decisions taken by those with a stake in FUFA.

Magogo noted that FUFA listening to complaints of non-members, like members of the public is out of courtesy, and not an obligation.

“For the record, FUFA is a membership based organisation and as such the management of its affairs is fundamentally a preserve of its members as enshrined in its constitution and not for all members of the public to determine how the affairs of the federation are run,” the former FUFA Competitions Committee boss said, spawning sharp response from legislators.

Citing Article 10 of FUFA, and practices from other football governing bodies elsewhere in the world, Magogo told MPs that “membership to FUFA is by association or clubs and not individual capacities,” pouring scorn on the petition as frivolous.

Magogo cautioned MPs against entertaining the petition, saying it was against the sub-judice rule since the matter was already before the Constitutional Court, while granting the prayers of the petitioners could see FIFA - the world soccer governing body - impose sanctions on Uganda.