Row brewing over handball elections

Uganda Handball Federation (UHF) executives and clubs are entangled in a power struggle over failure to organise an election that was meant to be held last June.

The executive led by president Sheila Agonzibwa postponed the election following the suspension of all social gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

Prison Handball Club secretary Rodrick Muhumuza accused the executive of not listening to their demand to hold elections.

He was supported by Makerere University coach Hannington Musoke who said that they should take action against the executive's failure to hold elections.

"We have seen other sports organisations hold online meetings to discuss and agree on a way forward in their associations, why not ours," Muhumuza said.

Musoke supported him saying that the executive is in office illegally and argued club officials to use their mandate given in the constitution to compel the executive to organise elections.

"The executive committee only works on behalf of the clubs that vote for it every four years. So, if the clubs remain silent when the people, they lent authority are abusing it by going beyond the mandated time, then we blame the clubs," Musoke said.

"Clubs must rise and determine the future of their sport."

However, the federation assistant Augustin Mugalu said COVID-19 suspension on social gatherings stopped them from organising the elections.

"We very much want to organise elections but we must abide by the government directives," Mugalu said.

He also urged clubs to renew their subscriptions.

The federation has 18 clubs in super league, schools affiliate, and Higher institutions of higher learning as the electorate.