Wasswa Bbosa, the coach of new Super League entrants Hoima FC, attempted to strangle a sports reporter this morning, just minutes before he announced his resignation from the job.
Bbosa called for a press conference at the Hoima Boma grounds today to announce his resignation. He said he was forced to resign because of misunderstandings with the team's interim committee. Bbosa said the committee resisted proposed developments to Hoima FC and did not provide funds for training and players' salaries.
The players have not been paid for eight months.
Speaking in the presence of the team manager, Gabriel Kaboyo, Bbosa said he could not continue to work for Hoima FC under those conditions.
Shortly before he gave his statement, Fred Byenkya a sports reporter walked in. Bbosa launched at Byenkya and grabbed at his neck. He yelled at Byenkya, accusing him of being behind his woes at Hoima FC.
Journalists attending the press conference separated the two and stopped the fight.
Fred Byenkya hosts a sports program on Spice Radio in Hoima. He is also the mobilizer of the Hoima FC interim committee.
According to Bbosa, Byenkya used his sports show on Tuesday night to tarnish his name and wrongfully accuse him of stealing the team's finances.
Byenkya said he had done nothing wrong. He said Bbosa resigned because he was frustrated by Hoima FC's losing streak.
On Tuesday evening the team lost one-nil to Express FC on home ground.
Hoima FC is in the relegation zone of the Super League. It has gathered only 21 points since the season begun and is in 17th position. With eight matches left, it isn't certain that the team will recover.
Boban Tusubirwa, assistant captain of Hoima FC, said the players would miss Wasswa Bbosa. He said Bbosa was like a father to them, nurturing the team, despite the problems, through the league.
Tusubira said he doesn't see a future ahead without Bbosa's leadership.
Several sports analysts in Hoima agree.
Geoffrey Tumwesige, a sports journalist from Liberty FM, says Bbosa has enjoyed the support of his players and many of them stayed on because of him. He anticipates a large exodus from Hoima FC because of this development.
