The National Council of Sports (NCS) has been directed by the Inspectorate of Government to release Uganda Netball Federation (UNF) funds.
According to a letter from Deputy IGG Dr Patricia Achan Okiria to NCS General Secretary Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel, the funds meant for UNF should be transferred within seven days.
In the letter, Achan says that the Ministry of Finance transferred Sh7bn to NCS but the council released Sh186,374,110 to Uganda Netball Federation in quarter two of 2021/22, instead of Sh425,014,000.
“More findings reveal that NCS released/transfered only Sh186,374,110 to Uganda Netball Federation in quarter two of 2021/22, instead of Sh425,014,000 planned for the two tournaments of She Cranes pent series and African Championship Trip to Namibia,” the letter reads.
“The accountabilities for the above funds and the report regarding the tournaments were dully submitted to NCS on November 25 2021. The funds was remitted on October 28 2021 through Federation’s Bank Account no. 903000060589 held at Stanbic Bank, Nakivubo branch then.
“Albeit the above remittance of Sh186,347,110 to the Federation and the subsequent accountability therefrom, the NCS instead withheld release of more funds to the Uganda Netball Federation on account of failure to not properly accounting for Sh425,014,000 allegedly released for the two tournaments held in Namibia.”
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In an interview with NBS Sport recently, UNF president Sarah Babirye said that Ogwel asked her to account for Sh425m yet she had received Sh186m for the Pent Series and Africa Netball Championship in November 2021 in Namibia.
The IGG says that they made investigations after receiving complaints alleging among others non-remittance of funds by NCS to federations to carry out their activities.
Netball Federation is meant to receive funds for She Cranes’ preparation for the 2023 Netball World Cup in South Africa as well as hosting the Africa Netball Championship later this year.
“Uganda Netball Federation needs adequate funds and preparations to guarantee success in both tournaments,” the letter adds.
“Therefore, the continued withholding of Uganda Netball Federation’s funds on allegations of unaccounted for funds by the NCS on unsubstantiated allegations is counterproductive and this malicious. It may further be perceived as sabotage and or frustration of the Federation’s activities in the circumstance such as this.
“This is therefore to direct you to transfer funds meant for Uganda Netball Federation within Seven (7) days of receipt of this director. Upon such transfer, you are further directed to furnish this office with evidence of such transfer to the Federation as soon as practicable, to form our opinion on the next course of action.”
