Muwanga promises a more united USPA

KAMPALA - A more united and hardworking executive is what the Uganda Sports Press Association members should expect from their executive during the next term of two years, according to New Vision's Sabiiti Muwanga.

Muwanga made the promise after retaining his USPA presidency post for his last term, during an elective assembly that took place at the City Oil conference room in Kamwokya.

His would-be challenger Leon Ssenyange pulled out of the race on the eve of the elections, citing lack of transparency.

Returning officer Davis Katende shows the ballot books used during the association elections. (Credit: Norman Katende)

"It is a new chapter and we need to work together to uplift the association," said Muwanga.

"Let us see how we benefit from each other and also promote the spirit of togetherness. We are going to work harder to see that we develop sports journalism and professionalism, considering ethics and also team work."

Patrick Kanyomozi was also re-elected as the general secretary after beating New Vision's Johnson Were in a tight contest that saw him garner 30 votes against Were's 27.

Francisco Bwambale became the new organizing secretary in a contest decided by one vote.

Mubarak Kasule, who is a former organizing secretary, became the new treasurer, beating Michael Nsubuga by five votes.

The new USPA executive, from left, Francisco Bwambale (organizing secretary), Sabiiti Muwanga (president), Mubarak Kasule (treasurer) and Patrick Kanyomozi (secretary). (Credit: Norman Katende)

The elective assembly came after an aftermath of deliberations, which saw the assembly suspend Article 14 (II) of the USPA constitution that called for the elections to take place in October so that the day's activities go on.

The article seemed to contradict with others articles and the general assembly, being a supreme body ruled in the suspension favor, locking out a would-be proposal to suspend all activities and have an interim committee to run the association as they worked on rectifying the association constitution was dismissed.

The assembly comes after a tough election politicking, that leaves the current regime with the task to heal the wounds caused by the irresponsible talks that had threatened to tear up the most active and longest serving sports association in the country.

"The good thing is that we have realized that there are mistakes in the association and its management and it is good that all the forces are willing to work hard to ensure that they eliminate them," said USPA elder and former president Jim Mugung (pictured above speaking) a at the assembly.

Former USPA presidents were among the many that attended the elective assembly.