Tensions Rise Between FUFA and UBF Presidents Over COVID-19 Donation Dispute
A public disagreement has erupted between Moses Magogo, President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), and Moses Muhangi, President of the Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF), highlighting underlying tensions between two of Uganda’s prominent sports federations.
The conflict surfaced during a weekend sports show on 97.6 Record FM, hosted by Junior Ssembatya, where Muhangi criticized Magogo’s handling of a donation to Uganda’s National Task Force combating COVID-19.
The Core of the Dispute
Muhangi accused Magogo of acting unilaterally by donating UGX 50 million to the National Task Force without consulting or rallying other sports federations for a joint contribution. He argued that a collective effort would have projected unity among Uganda’s sports bodies and avoided portraying other federations, many of which lack comparable financial resources, in a negative light. Muhangi claimed that FUFA receives substantial funding—approximately UGX 200 million quarterly—making the UGX 50 million donation appear modest in comparison.
He suggested that Magogo’s solo action was a deliberate move to overshadow less-funded federations like the UBF.
Allegations of Arrogance and Underperformance
The UBF president didn’t stop at the donation issue. Muhangi further criticized Magogo’s leadership style, alleging that he positions himself above other federation heads. He claimed that during National Council of Sports meetings, Magogo often seeks proximity to ministers and influential figures, sidelining his peers. Muhangi also took aim at FUFA’s performance, asserting that despite significant funding, the Uganda Cranes, the national football team, have consistently underperformed in international campaigns.
A History of Friction
This isn’t the first time Magogo and Muhangi have clashed. In 2019, FUFA issued a statement expressing disappointment over Muhangi’s claims that FUFA had misappropriated UGX 10 billion from the government, demanding a public apology for what they deemed baseless accusations. The current dispute over the COVID-19 donation appears to be another chapter in an ongoing rivalry, with both leaders representing federations that command significant public attention but face different financial realities.
Contextualizing the Criticism
Muhangi’s remarks reflect broader concerns about the distribution of sports funding in Uganda. FUFA, as the governing body of the country’s most popular sport, benefits from substantial sponsorships and government allocations, including a reported UGX 10 billion from a UGX 17.4 billion sports budget in 2019, leaving other federations to share a much smaller portion. In contrast, the UBF operates with limited resources, making it challenging to match FUFA’s financial gestures. Muhangi’s call for a joint donation may stem from a desire to level the playing field and foster collaboration among federations.
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