KAMPALA – With four months left to the Federation of Uganda Football Association – Fufa presidential polls, official results from Saturday’s regional delegates’ elections show that the incumbent Eng. Moses Magogo, technically ‘won’ a straight third four-year term of office.
The Saturday election exercise, spread across the eight designated regions – as per the federation Statutes under Article 22 – Delegates and Votes, constitute 42.24% of the total number of Fufa delegates in the General Assembly; and Eng. Magogo scored almost 100%.
In the Saturday exercise, all electoral stations, apart from Buganda that exhibited a semblance of an election, saw voters turning up at their respect venues to merely endorse ‘their desired’ choice of delegate – and most of them – especially faces loyal to the incumbent went through ‘unopposed.’
In Buganda though – save for the post of Chairman and Zone 2 representative, Andrew Kaweesa, and Rogers Mulindwa, respectively who went through unopposed; the others slots were filled after a practical contest. The exercise saw Samuel Mpiima beat Ismail Kalanda 38-7; Michael Sekabira won over Steven Ssemutono 36-8; Hassan Kavuma polled 12 against Abdul Kawuulu’s 9 to take the 3rd division clubs’ slot while Jackline Musiime smashed Mariam Nakulima Kaliga 38-7 to take the recently introduced woman’s slot from every electoral region.
The other seven regions as per Fufa Statutes, were as good as puppets – as they converged at their respective venues, ‘voted’ for each and every available slots ‘unopposed,’ and left for their respective home stations – awaiting for August 31 – the day the presidential and executive committee will, officially be handed a four-term.
The Saturday exercise produced a total of 47 delegates out of the expected 48 – and impeccable sources at Mengo – the Fufa seat revealed to this reporter that the incumbent had scored 100%. One delegate missed out on the final list because Sebei – a sub-region of the North Eastern Region FA didn’t pick their preferred choice of representative. Fufa electoral committee, according Mengo will announce a new date for the exercise in Sebei.
“Results coming in from the different regions show that the historical commander –in -chief and incumbent is still around…. others can wait…,” wrote one of the Eng. Magogo loyalists on a social media platform.
The Fufa Statutes under Article 22: Delegates and Votes, constitutes the General Assembly – the body mandated with the powers to sanction a president and his executive committee as comprising 88 members – termed as ‘delegates.’ The number of delegates is allocated as follows; –
– Each of the eight –Regional Football Associations: 6 delegates each, where One Must be a woman – 48;
– Each of the 16 Clubs in the Uganda Premier League: One delegate – 16;
– Fufa Big League: 8 delegates;
– Fufa 3rd Division League: 1 delegate per Region – 8
– Uganda Football Players Association: 2 delegates
– Uganda Women Football Association: 2 delegates
– Uganda Football Coaches Association: 2 delegates
– Uganda Football Referees Association: 3 delegates – One Must be a woman
– Uganda Beach-Soccer Association: 2 delegates
– Uganda Schools Football Association: 2 delegates
– Uganda Youth Football Association: 2 delegates
– Fufa Women Elite League Clubs: 1 delegate
The composition of the Fufa General Assembly and Saturday’s election exercise suggest that the only direction the August 31 event could have is to determine whether Eng Magogo is returned either unopposed – if his opponents – including Allan Ssewanyana, Mujib Kasule and Ali Ssekatawa – who have since publicly declared their separate interests to compete for the Mengo seat, or declared winners with majority votes.
The only constituency that could have spoilt Eng Magogo’ bid for a third term is the Uganda Premier League clubs – but even here, according to insiders, he commands a sizeable number of votes, especially from upcountry teams.
The other constituencies under the Special Interest Group – are merely a rubber stamp and their elections scheduled for May 5-10 will, most likely hand another 100% victory to the incumbency.
Chances for Eng Magogo’s opponents to make it to the ballot paper, and deny the incumbent an outright ‘unopposed’ victory as per the last two terms, will depend on how the Fufa electoral committee interprets Article 9.7 states, in parts: For any person to be eligible for the candidature of the Fufa president – they will have served in one or a combination of any of the following positions for a total of at least seven years in the last 10 years;
– Executive Committee member of Cecafa, Caf, Fifa
– Executive Committee member of Fufa
– Chief Executive Officer /General Secretary of Fufa
– Fifa Accredited Administration Instructor
– Chairman of a Member of Fufa
Any intending candidate Must be a resident of Uganda for two years preceding the elections; possess a minimum of A-level certificate or its equivalent; and should be supported by any three members of Fufa. The list seems to be endless and can easily cause a ‘blackout,’ especially to anyone, who is faint-hearted –a situation Eng Magogo – the Budiope MP –elect overcame long ago in this game of football politics.
Delegates per Region;
Buganda: Andrew Kaweesa (Chairman), Rogers Mulindwa, Samuel Mpiima, Michael Ssekabira, Hassan Kavuma (3rd Division clubs) and Jackline Musiime.
Kampala: Idirisa Kasalirwe (Chairman), Haruna Tamale, Hamid Juma, Sande Moni Muyanja, Darius Mugoye (3rd Division clubs) and Amina Bukenya.
Eastern: Isa Musiwa (Chairman), Isa Magola Kakaire (3rd Division), Amin Bbosa Nkono, Latif Mafuko, Jamal Ngobi and Zaitun Mutesi.
West Nile: Fredrick Isaac Ade (Chairman), Mike Letti, Rasoul Ibrahim Ariga, Andrew Onwang, Charles Mawadri and Joan Girama.
Kitara: James Ayabale (Chairman), Rogers Byamukama, Diana Kaboha, Jimmy Kiiza Shedrack, Fred Muhumuza and Derrick Bunduka.
Northern: Moses Opio (Chairman), Dan Obote, Walter Okello, Innocent Oryem (3rd Division clubs), Tabu Santos Bono and Gladys Alela.
Western: Seka Mutaka (Chairman), Stephen Kacuumu, Switzen Nuwagaba, Pauline Owomugisha, Nshekanabo Gasheka and Frank Ankunzire (3rd Division clubs).
North Eastern: John Odong (Chairman), Johnson Nyiria Fairfax, Richard Ochom, Agnes Mugena and Julius Opolot (3rd Division clubs).
