Corruption Spoils Uganda's Football Future

Soccer is a universal language - if you play, communication takes place no matter what linguistic barriers exist. Throughout Africa, soccer can be an escape - to a world so very different from everyday life, that it can be impossible to adequately express this feeling to those who haven't experienced the wide gulf between dire poverty - and the awesome power of play which soccer represents. In Uganda, soccer has been an important means of healing between religious and tribal factions that descended into genocide in the 1970's and 80's. Soccer has been a catalyst of positive change, and remains a symbol of unity, hope and aspiration.

Soccer on a national scale is also emblematic of regular people's aspirations - the comparison between how one's team is doing and the collective national mindset is inescapble.

In Uganda's case, the national soccer team has been put in effective receivership, and the comparisons with the national government are apparent. So why is it that Uganda's national governing body of soccer has made such a mess of the organization, causing it to be disbanded, triggering an international investigation into the matter? Thanks to lavish attention by the U.S. and Europe, Uganda has become emblematic of the possibilities for progress in Africa. Somehow Uganda hasn't taken hold of that message. While donor nations (largely the U.S. and some European Union) provide the major portion of cash flow required to operate the Ugandan government, a "kid glove" approach has been taken with government there. Only recently have some governments expressed public concern, including the Dutch and (finally) British and American. Whether this marks a seachange, is, well, a question that might be put to the President or Secretary of State by credentialed bloggers regarding these "below the radar" kind of issues in international relations.

(BBC) The three-man team from football's world governing body was appointed after the Ugandan government dissolved the board of the country's football association last month.

It accused football officials of "operating in a manner that is inconsistent with the law," citing the decision to mortgage their headquarters building, which was constructed with Fifa funds.

Headed by Pascal Torres, Fifa's development director, the team also has Ashford Mamelodi and Kamal Shaddad, president of Sudan's Football Association, as members.

The team would be looking into all issues concerning the government's decision to sack the Fufa board.

James Sekajugo, the delegation's coordinator, says they will meet with the Ugandan sports minister as well as members of the disbanded Federation of Uganda Football Associations, Fufa.

The government newspaper in Kampala, New Vision, has been sanguine about the details of the scandal. Instead, they focus on FIFA's involvement being related somehow to improving the quality of the team, which is about as lame as one can get in attempts to divert attention from the facts of the matter. Downplaying the impact will not be easy, it has all the markings of a typical financial crime.

Kampala (AFP) A team from football's world governing body FIFA have opened a probe into the management of the sport in Uganda after the government dissolved the country's national soccer federation last month for financial irregularities.

FIFA will meet with the Ugandan sports minister as well as members of the disbanded national governing board, the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), delegation coordinator James Sekajugo said Monday.

The team includes FIFA development manager, Pascal Torres, the development manager for central and southern Africa, Ashford Mamelodi, and Kammel Shadad, the president of Sudan's football association.

Sekajugo said the team would be looking into all issues concerning the government's decision to sack the FUFA board last month after accusations of poor management and a lack of transparency and accountability.

In February, Kampala fired the board for "operating in a manner that is inconsistent with the law," citing the decision to mortgage the FUFA headquarters building which was constructed with funds donated by FIFA.

The irony of Sudan's involvement in the investigation will not be lost on anyone, hopefully it is the kind of slap in the face that will awaken citizen concern throughout the Pearl of Africa.


Then there is always the story of Mathias Kiwanuka playing American football at Boston College. Grandson of martyred Ugandan Prime Minister Benedicto Kiwanuka, this young man can give the Ugandan people something to cheer about: he is a major NFL prospect. Kiwanuka is also motivated to make a difference in his country - will his country change in order to give him that opportunity?

Kiwanuka, and all Ugandans, have a right to know: why is scant attention being paid to the corruption, human rights abuse and indifference of the Ugandan government?

Will the U.S. government continue to fund operation of a corrupt regime, or will real pressure be applied to bring positive change? One thing is certain: Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has sorely mismanaged not only his government, but relationships with donor countries and organizations as well.