FUFA bans five individuals for match manipulation

FUFA has on Thursday announced it has banned five individuals for their engagement in match manipulation.

The five people include Express CEO Ashiraf Miiro, former Uganda Cranes player Mike Mutyaba, Ivan Katende and two players in Emmanuel Kalyowa and Ashiraf Mbaziira.

The game in question was between Kitara and Express, played on 21st December 2024, which the former won 7-0.

“The Investigatory Chamber of the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee has provided an update on the ongoing investigations into the alleged manipulation of the Uganda Premier League match between Kitara FC and Express FC played on 21st December, 2024,” the statement reads.

According to FUFA, they received a FIFA betting report indicating the game was fixed for betting purposes, with prior knowledge that Express FC would lose and concede at least five goals.

“Preliminary findings show Mutyaba Mike coordinated the match-fixing with Katende Ivan, a known figure in FUFA’s match-fixing investigations,” reads the expert from the findings.

Mutyaba and Katende reportedly worked closely with Express FC CEO Miiro Ashraf to conspire and manipulate the match.

“Ugandan betting accounts linked to Katende won millions through bets placed on the match at a Tanzanian betting company, which blocked payment after detecting fraud. The preliminary investigations have so far indicated the involvement of players, goalkeeper Kalyowa Emmanuel and Mbazira Ashraf, who were recruited by Mutyaba to execute the fix on the field of play. Mutyaba assumed technical matters on match day, taking advantage of head coach Kaddu Badru’s absence,” the report further states.

FUFA has engaged the Criminal Investigations Directorate, and the process is ongoing and the Investigatory Chamber has provisionally suspended the five individuals from all football-related activities pending disciplinary proceedings.