Madam Hope Diana Nyago says ‘I am the owner of Busoga United’ in the wake of strong accusations that the former club president withrrew the transfer fees fetched on Joel Madondo’s deal to Wydad Casablanca.
Wydad finally transfered $50,000+ to Busoga United accounts on January 18 2022 for a deal that saw Madondo join the Moroccan giants for a four-year deal in January 2020.
However, the money was later withdrawn the following day!
Nyago, Robert Adotu (former Jinja SS bursar) and Hassan Takoowa (Busoga United interim President) are the three signatories on Busoga United’s account.
“Nyago and Adotu went to Bank of Africa Jinja Branch and reported that the cheque book was stolen,” Takoowa told The-SportsNation in an exclusive interview.
“So they withdrew the money using the counter. Two signatories can withdraw the money.”
“She is now enjoying the money while the club is here struggling.”
Nyago left the club as she pursued a career, standing as an MP for Njeru Municipality in 2021 Elections.
Per reports, Nyago has already paid Sh100,000 to each Busoga United player.
Takoowa said that the club has been struggling financially and they have only received assistance from some fans during these tough periods.
“Team struggles to get meals and other requirements. Seeing the lady taking advantage of all people is really annoying,” he added.
Takoowa, former club CEO under Nyago, says that Busoga United which currently sit second from the bottom, has great potential to survive relegation if their financial hardships are resolved in time.
Nyago Fires Back!
The former Jinja SS Headmistress said that she is still the owner of Busoga United!
Nyago who left her role as President of Busoga United to focus on politics, while speaking to The-SportsNation, revealed:
“You know the history of this club… who started it? who owns it? who have I even authorised to speak on my behalf? I am still at Busoga United, the club is mine and mine forever.”
When asked about the position of Hassan Takoowa, Nyago branded him as a ‘no body’!
“I put him (Takoowa) there when I was contesting but when I came out of Elections I put him off. He is actually a no-body. I gave him the mandate then and I withdrew it. He cannot purport to be representing the club. He is nothing in the club structures.”
Scramble for Partition Of Busoga United?
These exchanges are the latest twists as the club grapples in finding leadership.
Takoowa, in December last year, accused Nyago and FUFA boss Moses Magogo of interfering in the club’s management matters.
Then, Takoowa said that Nyago who had handed over the club wanted to return.
In a statement then, Takoowa who took over the club’s leadership in February 2021 said that Nyago wanted to take the club to Tororo and host games from St George stadium against a background that many people of Busoga never wanted anything to do with her and thus opted to have the club shifted to Tororo.
And when Takoowa opted for Kakindu, he says that it’s where the fall out started.
He also alleged that Nyago paid men to “beat me up” and that they manhandled him while on Club duty in Jinja.
Takoowa said that Nyago joined hands with Former SC Villa CEO Shawn Mubiru to invite the FUFA President Magogo who went on to meet all staff and promised them balls and one month’s salary among other things.
In a recent interview with The-SportsNation, Takoowa said that he wants to hand over the club ownership to the Community of Busoga Region.
History of Busoga United:
In a bid to help former students of Jinja SSS to continue developing their football talents, Madam Nyago bought a club in 2012 from the Mechanics of Kirinya Road in Jinja.
She officially formed this team together with Ngobi Frederick Gume, Kawooma Yahaya and Mugabi Samuel. Before buying this club, It had been relegated from FUFA Big league to Eastern regional league.
The bought club, called Kirinya FC, was then registered as Kirinya Jinja SS United in the regional league.
Then under coach Abbey Kikomeko Bogere, the team reached regional finals where they beat Amazone FC in Mayuge, in a game that never ended on pitch, with FUFA awarding boardroom points to Kirinya to storm the Big league.
The following season, the club in Big league, changed its name from Kirinya Jinja SSS United to Kirinya Jinja SSS FC.
They named the late Mathew Lukya from Jinja Municipal Council (JMC) who was assisted by coach Kikomeko Bogere after taking them from Eastern Regional League to FUFA Big league.
The club made two failed attempts to reach the top flight – They lost to KJT Rwenshama and JMC in playoffs finals.
In 2015/2016 season, the side finally earned promotion after beating Wandegeya FC 3-2 in Kanyanya thanks to Alan Drajua’s late strike as the side topped the group at the expense of Proline FC.
In May 2019, the club’s request to change name was approved and passed by FUFA’s executive committee this year in May.
Nyago, then, said that this was undertaken to transform the club into a bigger and better brand so that they can also get a wider fan base.
