Overview:
With a week already passed since the dark evening at Lugogo, stakeholders across the Ugandan football fraternity are anxious for a quick resolution. Many have warned against a repeat of last season's administrative delay regarding the unplayed Kitara FC vs. Vipers SC fixture, which took months to resolve.
Kampala Capital City Authority Football Club (KCCA FC) Chairman, Engineer Andrew Mukiibi Sserunjogi, has made a formal appeal to the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) Judicial Bodies, requesting leniency following the abrupt abandonment of their league match against UPDF FC.
The StarTimes Uganda Premier League clash at the MTN Omondi Stadium in Lugogo came to a sudden halt after just eight minutes when the stadium’s floodlights failed. Following a mandatory 30-minute wait, match officials officially called off the game in accordance with competitions regulations.
Faced with the harsh possibility of a match forfeiture—which would automatically award three points and three goals to UPDF FC—Sserunjogi is urging football authorities to consider a replay instead.
The ‘Natural Cause’ Defense
Speaking on the incident, Chairman Sserunjogi, a civil engineer by profession, revealed that the club has submitted comprehensive technical assessments to FUFA. The reports were compiled by experts from F&G Wilson, the generator manufacturers, and mechanical engineers from the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC).
According to Sserunjogi, the diagnostics pointed to a sudden water pump failure.
“According to the reports, failure was as a result of a water pump,” Sserunjogi stated. “We have written to FUFA and told them that this was never negligence from the club nor its staff, but it occurred because it had to occur because the machine that broke down had worn out—something we couldn’t detect. We believe this is a natural cause.”
He expressed optimism that the judicial panels would opt for a replay.
“We hope they are going to judge us with mercy and accept a replay instead of a forfeiture because we didn’t break the rules.”
FUFA Cracks Down on Lugogo Night Games
In the wake of the embarrassing technical glitch, FUFA has already taken swift punitive action by revoking the stadium’s license to host matches under floodlights.
The venue’s night-hosting capabilities had previously been a point of contention, having initially been rejected by the FUFA Club Licensing Committee over playing surface and lux (lighting) standards before KCCA successfully appealed the decision. Following this latest failure, KCCA FC will have to play its home fixtures during daylight hours.
Meanwhile, Sserunjogi has called for calm among the club’s supporters while the federation deliberates. “To the fans, we appeal for calmness and we invite you to continue coming for our matches as usual.”
UPDF FC demands Maximum Points
On the other side of the dispute, UPDF FC officials remain firm that the rules heavily favor their side. Under current regulations, hosting teams are entirely responsible for providing a conducive environment, including reliable match illumination.
An anonymous UPDF club official expressed confidence that the judicial body will award them the points.
“The rules are clear. We showed up and were ready to play but then floodlights went off. That is surely a hosts’ problem, not us,” the official remarked, adding that UPDF is already bearing the brunt of strict licensing rules by hosting their own games away from their Bombo home ground. “The same FA refused KCCA to host night matches before so as to avoid such incidents, and here we are.”
Calls for a Swift Verdict
With a week already passed since the dark evening at Lugogo, stakeholders across the Ugandan football fraternity are anxious for a quick resolution. Many have warned against a repeat of last season’s administrative delay regarding the unplayed Kitara FC vs. Vipers SC fixture, which took months to resolve.
The FUFA Judicial Centre is expected to release its final decision on whether the match will be replayed or awarded as a walkover in the coming days.
