By Frank Kamuntu
The Minister of Education and Sports, also First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni, has directed the Inspector General of Government (IGG) to investigate allegations that Moses Magogo, the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) president, sold World Cup tickets that had been donated by FIFA to Uganda.
Magogo was a few weeks ago fined USD10,000 and suspended by FIFA for two months, after being found guilty of the case of selling Brazil 2014 World Cup tickets allocated to Uganda, which he sold an American businessman.
He landed in trouble after Makindye West legislator petitioned FIFA, which found him guilty and later the chairman of the Adjudicatory Chamber of the Independent Ethics Committee suspended him from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level for two months from 10th October to 10th December and also fined him CHF 10,000 (Sh37m)
After FIFA punished Magogo Sewanyana through his lawyers of Mulindwa Associates & Co. Advocates petitioned the Minister for Education and Sports Mama Kataha Museveni, who has since replied them in a letter dated… notifying them of her directive to the IGG to handle the matter.
The Minister’s letter to Sewanyana’s lawyers of Mulindwa Associates & Co. Advocates dated November 18, 2019, reads in part thus;
“I appreciate the concern you have raised in your letter that Moses Magogo was sentenced by FIFA for resale of FIFA tickets meant for Ugandans after pleading guilty to the offence and that his actions are not befitting his stay in the office of FUFA President to receive public funds from the government.”
She added that “I wish to accordingly inform you that regarding this matter, which is also a concern to my office, the ministry has taken relevant actions.
“The Permanent Secretary of Sports and Education has sought for legal opinion and guidance from the Solicitor General in the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs on the way forward for government to proceed with this matter in view of the facts and information that have been received on the matter.
I have also requested the IGG to investigate this matter in view of the law of Uganda and take appropriate further action as necessary.”
FIFA had initially stated thus about Magogo’s case; “Whereas FIFA respects the laws of the land where its member association operates, it is imperative to note the offences Magogo entered into a plea bargain with FIFA are exclusively FIFA related regulations.
It is, therefore, our duty to inform the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) that any acts that may lead to violation of FIFA Statutes Art. 24, Para 2(1) may lead to sanctions up to suspension of FUFA which will automatically imply suspension of FIFA forward funding and participation of Uganda National Football teams and representative clubs from international football.”
