Swalley Kenyi
28 December 2011
UGANDA has lost a slot on the international football referees list according to international badges allocation to the country for the year 2012 season.
The world football governing body FIFA has allocated 16 badges for Ugandan football referees one less than last year.
The new list has Denis Batte, Ronnie Kalema, Ali Kalyango and Fredrick Ngobi Mfuta as male while Irene Namubiru and Ssemambo Nabikko are the female centre referees.
FUFA publicist Rogers Mulindwa explained that the drop followed the voluntary retirement of Mohammad Segonga. FUFA had recommended Brian Nsubuga to replace Segonga on the list.
But it should be noted that newly appointed Ugandan referees disappointed FIFA instructor Carlos Henrique when they either failed their first fitness tests soon after their appointments of they did not show up for the test and Nsubuga was singled out last year.
Although there were fears also fir then victims of unfitness, Mfuta and Kalema, they have retained their status, but not Nsubuga despite FUFA recommendations for reappointment.
FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa said that has since written to CAF to find out what happened. Segonga officially retired in May 2010 citing a busy schedule at his work at the Uganda ministry of health.
The seven male assistant referees include Hussein Bugembe, Khilifan Kanakulya, Samuel Kayondo, Yahaya Kitti, Musa Ngobi, Patabali Okello and Mark Sonko while Rehmah Kizito, Diana Mukasa and Marrex Nakitto Nkumbi are the three female assistants
In the past the referees have been accused of bias officiation and FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa has warned them against unfair execution of their duties.
“The results of a game should not depend on you by showing sides but instead create a conducive environment for the best team to win” Mulindwa said. He was addressing referees at the federation headquarters on Tuesday.
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