P.O. Box 22518
Kampala, Uganda
29 April 2026
The Chief Executive Officer,
Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA),
Email: admin@fufa.co.ug
REF: Concern Over Light Sanctions
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the sanctions imposed on Express FC following the unfortunate incident that occurred during the Uganda Premier League match against NEC FC at Nakivubo Stadium.
As everyone is aware, NEC FC player Richard Basangwa required urgent medical attention after a serious collision with Express FC defender Glory Kisule in the 90th minute of the game. What should have been an immediate emergency response turned into a chaotic and dangerous situation when it was discovered that the ambulance stationed at the stadium was unfit for use.
According to one of the club officials I spoke with, the ambulance had no medical equipment and even had a flat tyre. This was a shocking display of negligence, especially in a top-flight league match where player safety should be treated as a priority.
I have seen that FUFA fined Express FC UGX 1,000,000 for this incident. With all due respect, I believe this is far too lenient for such a serious matter. To me, this amounts to pampering mediocrity.
The purpose of disciplinary action should be to protect the integrity of the game, maintain standards, deter future violations, and promote responsible club management. A fine of UGX 1,000,000 alone does not achieve this. Such an amount can easily be raised by fans, and normalcy returns without any meaningful accountability.
More serious sanctions, such as points deduction—for example, requiring Express FC to begin next season with a 10-point deficit—would send a much stronger message and force clubs to take their responsibilities seriously.
On another day, the Basangwa incident could have ended fatally simply because of recklessness and poor preparation.
We lost Assistant Referee Peter Kabugo in November 2024, and while I do not wish to point fingers, there were concerns that an ambulance driver was in the stands watching the game when he was urgently needed. Incidents like these show why there should be absolutely no leniency when it comes to medical preparedness and security at football matches.
Your own Competition Rules are very clear on this matter.
Rule 39(3) states that it is the duty of the home team to arrange medical facilities during FUFA competition matches. Specifically, for First Division League matches (read Uganda Premier League games), a fully equipped ambulance must be available before and during the match.
Express FC knew this requirement. Why then was the ambulance empty and unfit for purpose?
Furthermore, Rule 39(4) states that match officials appointed shall inspect and ensure that the ambulance is present before and during the match. If at any time the need for an ambulance arises and none is available, the home team shall be sanctioned in accordance with the Ethics and Disciplinary Code.
In this case, the ambulance was as good as non-existent. Therefore, it is fair to conclude that there was effectively no ambulance at all.
This also raises the question of why the match officials were spared from responsibility. The General Coordinator, Referee Assessor, Fourth Official, and all match officials present that day should be held accountable for allowing the match to proceed under such unsafe conditions.
Earlier this season, FUFA punished the entire set of match officials for allowing Buhimba United Saints substitute Eric Washington Nyonyintono to take the field in a different jersey against Police FC. If that incident warranted punishment, then surely this case—where lives were put at risk—is even more deserving of stronger disciplinary action.
Player safety and match security must never be treated lightly. Kindly stop pampering clubs and ensure that those responsible are brought to book.
Yours faithfully,
Brian Kawalya
Sports Journalist
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