Overview:
Besides fans, football has lost investors in the past due to unfavorable administrative decisions – from Godfrey Kirumira (Express), Njubi (Nalubaale) Simo Dubajic (SC Victoria University), Obed Smart (Soana), Jimmy Lukwago (Kiira), Hajji Omar Mandela at one time (Villa), Vincent Ssempijja (Masaka LC), Col. Bell Tushabe (Victors), Mr. Mutebi (Kyetume) to Diana Nyago (Busoga United) etc. and we can’t afford to lose more.
That the new league reforms that culminated with change of format from a round robin to the three-round phase were never wholly accepted is undoubted.
From the main stakeholders, the premier league clubs to the fans, the backlash is real.
Despite the fixtures being honoured, the discontent from clubs like NEC and SC Villa who publicly stated they are playing under protest and duress can’t be taken for granted.
Others like KCCA, Lugazi and Police also openly criticized the reforms with Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, the Kasasiro Boys patron and his chairman Sserunjogi also openly revealing their discomfort with the new format.
For league champions Vipers, the reforms were rejected in totality and they have since written to the FA, the UPL, sponsors and partners, the Ministry of Education and Sports and the National Council of Sports and have since vowed not to take part.
Indeed, true to their word, Vipers didn’t honour their fixture against Kitara at flopped double header at Mandela National stadium, Namboole on October 4.
Besides the stakeholders crying foul on not being consulted, the new league format has faced criticism itself with many citing lots of loopholes including its vulnerability to manipulation of matches.
“If they are not willing to listen, I am not ready to bow down. This is the beginning of the struggle; if they don’t consider their position, we shall fight.
“Don’t expect to change my mind because where they are taking is gambling, manipulation of football, match fixing,” Vipers President Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa stated in an interview with The New Vision.
In a scary part of the interview, Mulindwa, Uganda’s biggest private football investor without doubt revealed he is ready to quit the game if need arises.
“Me, I am not ready to be manipulated. I am sorry, I will leave Ugandan football if need arises and concentrate on something else,” he emotionally stated.
The fans have also spoken by shunning stands as observed at Namboole in the double header as well as in the game between Kitara and KCCA at Royal Park, Butema.
Over a time, they have consistently aired their views against the new league format and have vowed not to watch matches in the stadia and as well, threatened to boycott StarTimes, the league’s official broadcast and title sponsors.
Their grievances haven’t only been on social media platforms but also in the stands.
Villa has the biggest following in the country but their game against Entebbe UPPC sent a signal as only a handful showed up and most were the visiting team’s fans.
In fact, in one of their WhatsApp platforms, they are ready to send money direct to the club on match days but not pay at the gates to watch the game until Fufa reconsiders their position.
For KCCA, the fans have agreed not to buy seasonal tickets and also vowed to stay away from their matches.
The effects have already been felt and Fufa has issued a statement warning that individuals leading this campaign will be apprehended.
Thankfully, the fans and Dr. Mulindwa have openly showed their position but many parties are against reforms silently.
“The body language of players at training shows it all,” a coach of one of the UPL teams told this publication.
“They don’t feel like it matters a lot as they feel the number of points needed to attain top eighth finish in the first round is easily attainable and the fact that the points cease to count for the next round means they can’t put their bodies on the line,” he lamented.
Meanwhile, one club official also revealed their corporate body is even considering scrapping off the football club if things don’t change.
All these lamentations can’t be taken lightly and the football leadership should consider yet another engagement.
Back in 90s when football matches between VEK teams were chaotic, there are fans that never returned to stadia.
In 2003 after the arrow boys league that culminated in Villa beating Akol 22 goals, there are fans that left and never returned.
In 2013 when wrangles got us two leagues, there are fans that left and never returned after.
We are here now and we have some that will never return because of the new format which they view as not good for league football.
The discontented fans have no right to stop their clubs from participating in matches but have a right not to watch.
For now, the leadership should be concerned about the discomfort of the stakeholders and instead not abuse their passion for the game like the case has been.
Besides fans, football has lost investors in the past due to unfavorable administrative decisions – from Godfrey Kirumira (Express), Njubi (Nalubaale) Simo Dubajic (SC Victoria University), Obed Smart (Soana), Jimmy Lukwago (Kiira), Hajji Omar Mandela at one time (Villa), Vincent Ssempijja (Masaka LC), Col. Bell Tushabe (Victors), Mr. Mutebi (Kyetume) to Diana Nyago (Busoga United) etc. and we can’t afford to lose more.
In any other countries, an inquiry into the demise of these investors would have been instated but we are a society where we care only for our individual benefits.
For the good of the game, let us have the issues potentially sending away fans, potential sponsors and investors resolved as soon as possible.
