The executive of Uganda Footballers' Association (UFA) has petitioned parliament to intervene and address problems affecting footballers in the country. This morning, the UFA executive led by its chairperson, Dan Walusimbi petitioned Jacob Oulanya, the deputy speaker of parliament.
In the petition, UFA expressed discontent with the plight of footballers and operations of the local football governing body FUFA. The committee said that it was dismayed to see that the National Council of Sports (NCS) has embraced the operations of FUFA Ltd.
Walusimbi explained that there is no way that a football body could be registered as a limited Company because it breaches the constitution of Uganda.
//Cue in; …..We met the deputy speaker…..
Cue out: …A member of parliament to table this,”//
Walusimbi also expressed dissatisfaction with the player’s welfare saying that without them, there is no football. Shortly after handing over their petition, Walusimbi said the deputy Speaker advised them to get a Member of Parliament to table their matter in parliament for discussion.
Some of the members who escorted Walusimbi to parliament include Polly Ouma (former Cranes player and coach), Dan Mubiru (Former Sc Villa and Cranes player), Daniel Muwanguzi, Polycap Kiseka and Councillor Salim Uhuru among others.
Mujib Kasule, the FUFA Vice President in-charge of the League told URN welcomed the decision by players to seek audience with parliament. He said that their efforts could yield positive results and lead to a better way forwards.
In March the national football Premier League was suspended after players under the UFA went on strike to protest the poor welfare. They accused their teams of exploitation as some of them were playing without proper contracts. UFA is an affiliate of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA).
