Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has demoted Arua Hill Sports Club to the second division, BetPawa FUFA Big League with immediate effect.
The decision was communicated officially on Tuesday, 6th February 2024 after the club failed to fulfill the club licensing requirements.
“FUFA appreciates your effort to fulfill Club Licensing Requirements to participate in the
StarTimes Uganda Premier League 2023/24. Your request has not been considered by the
FUFA Club Licensing Appeals Committee (FCLAC). The FUFA Club Licensing Appeals Committee has noted that Arua Hill Sports Club has continuously violated its obligations under the FUFA Club Licensing Regulations. The decision of the FUFA Club Licensing Committee is therefore upheld. The club is therefore advised to prepare for Club Licensing in the Men’s second division league for the season 2024/25.” a letter from the FUFA Deputy CEO in charge of football, Decolas Hantali Kizza reads.
Arua Hill Sports Club featured in the first round of the 2023-2024 season, having a sour ending at the apex of the first round without a coach after the sudden resignation of their head coach-cum-owner Charles Livingstone Mbabazi.
At the time Mbabazi left, most of the players had laid their tools and others left, citing bitter conditions of work that included non-payment of salaries and wages.
When the fixtures for the second round were released, Arua Hill SC was missing and was advised to appeal after fulfilling the conditions asked among which included playing ground, assets, liabilities, appointment of a Chief Executive Officer, technical staff and their employment contracts, list of players with their contracts as well as other staff.
Upon submission of the requested stuff, FUFA turned down the appeal and extended the deadline to 29th January 2024.
When contacted for comment, the new Arua Hill SC chairman Hassan Takoowa Mugerwa was crest-fallen.
“This is disappointing. I cannot talk now. I need to recompose myself” Takoowa stated in a low tone, totally devastated by the decision.
Troubles for Arua Hill Sports Club started at the advent of the 2023-2024 when former chairman Eng Joel Aita announced he would be withdrawing from the club affairs.
Although the remaining officials managed to assemble a team for the season, there was a change in the playground from Arua (Barifa) to Adjumani (Paridi), but the conditions remained unpalatable.
