The FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee has imposed a lifetime ban on referee Ali Kaddu following his involvement in a match-fixing and manipulation scheme. Kaddu’s ban comes as part of sweeping sanctions against 12 individuals, including nine match officials, two club administrators, and one player, linked to a scandal orchestrated by a foreign betting syndicate targeting fixtures in the 2023/2024 season.
The crackdown followed thorough investigations by the Investigatory Chamber of FUFA’s Ethics and Disciplinary Committee, with subsequent hearings conducted by its Adjudicatory Chamber. The findings revealed breaches of Article 43 of the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Code.
“Ali Kaddu has been banned for life, while others received lengthy sanctions,” FUFA announced in a statement released Tuesday.
Kaddu’s lifetime ban leads the list of penalties handed down:
- Assistant referee Sajjabi Geoffrey: 10-year ban.
- Former BUL FC CEO Ahmed Kongola: 5-year ban.
- Club administrator Epieru Richard, along with officials Atuheirwe Joyce, Nabisere Tausi, Okello Simon Peter, and Nantatya Godwin: 3-year bans each.
- Muyaga Khalid: 2-year ban.
- Noor Hassan, Dorcus Atuheirwe, and player Kiyemba Latif: 1-year bans each.
The match manipulation scheme allegedly involved a foreign betting syndicate seeking to fix outcomes of multiple games in the Ugandan football league. FUFA has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on corruption and manipulation in football, stating it will take necessary actions to safeguard the sport’s integrity.
This is not FUFA’s first major action against match-fixing. In December 2022, referee George Nkurunziza was banned for 10 years, while former Gaddafi FC players Yaya Mahad Kakooza, Godfrey Lwesibawa, and Andrew Waiswa received 5-year bans each for similar offenses.
FUFA’s strict measures highlight its commitment to eradicating corruption and maintaining fair play in Ugandan football. These bans serve as a stern warning to all stakeholders involved in the sport: unethical behavior will not be tolerated.
As the investigations continue, FUFA has pledged to work with local and international authorities to root out malpractice and ensure Ugandan football remains a trusted and transparent endeavor.
