Makindye West MP who doubles as the Minister for Sports in the Shadow Cabinet, Allan Ssewanyana, has put Government and football governing body FUFA on a task.
Despite coming back as heroes, there were dark spots in Uganda’s impressive campaign that saw them reach the knockout stage for the first time in 41 years.
Prior to their round of 16 match against Senegal, the Cranes players staged a strike citing unpaid allowances by FUFA.
According to his parliamentary report about the Uganda Cranes performance at the 2019 AFCON, Ssewanyana believes that this was a big factor that contributed to the team’s 1-0 loss to Senegal.
FUFA, in their initial statement had consequently reaffirmed that the allowances for the group stage matches was already paid and agreed to pay 6000 USD to each player over and above the agreed terms with the players.
Also read – Players Return to Training after strike
“FUFA insisted that the players were paid all their match bonuses, including allowances covering the one and half months of training camp they had before the tournament,” reads an excerpt from Ssewanyana’s report, seen by this website.
“The Minister (Sports Minister) has to inform this house whether it is true that the team were paid as claimed by FUFA and that each player was so far been paid a total of 14600 dollars as of July 2, 2019.
“The money includes 4000 dollars for their win against DR Congo, 2000 dollars for a draw against Zimbabwe, 5100 dollars each for 34 days of camping till June 30 at a rate of 150 US dollars per day, 420 dollars for 14 days of camping in Uganda and 300 dollars for an international friendly against Ivory coast played in Abu Dhabi.”
Ssewanyana, President of newly promoted Big League team Katwe United, has been a big critic of FUFA and has over and over again openly showed his interest in becoming the next president of the association.
Read – Uganda 0-1 Senegal Report
The report continues:
“The 6000 USD should be paid out to the players as promised and accountability should be provided to Parliament.
“The Minister should task FUFA to fulfil its promises to the players as soon as possible dating back from 2018 when they qualified.”
Other recommendations
Successful delivering sporting results has a positive impact on Uganda’s reputation. Therefore motivating the Uganda Cranes or only other Sports activity through financial support can put Uganda in a better position to compete with other nations.
Government should support, promote and develop the skills of sport officials to enable them improve governance.
Government should work towards upholding the integrity of sports and to ensure transparency and accountability in sports governance.
