Kampala, Uganda | NOW THEN DIGITAL — World Netball (WN) president Liz Nicholl has issued an ultimatum to the Uganda Netball Federation (UNF), urging them to address their organizational issues promptly or face expulsion from the sport.
In a letter dated November 2, 2023, addressed to UNF’s acting president, Brig. Gen. Flavia Byekwaso, Nicholl outlined the reasons for the urgent need for action.
Nicholl emphasized that according to World Netball’s articles of association, a member is required to hold exclusive rights to govern netball in their country. Since UNF does not meet this requirement, World Netball has the authority to suspend UNF’s membership until the matter is thoroughly reviewed by Full Members.
While World Netball has chosen to show some leniency, it has taken steps to suspend several UNF executives, including Sarah Babirye, Richard Ojuku (2nd vice president), Harriet Apolot (3rd vice president), Ronald Mudhasi (elected representative eastern region), Bashir Kwerebera (elected representative western region), Rosette Kaala (elected representative Kampala region), Robert Kibira (elected executive representative central region), Denis Mpoza (appointed executive member Kampala region), and Hannifa Kabacwa (appointed executive member Western region). One executive member, Saidia Loice, passed away in 2022.
World Netball has urged these officials to step down immediately without compensation, and they are to be replaced by a normalization committee established by World Netball. This committee will guide UNF until fair and democratic elections can be held.
Brig. Flavia Byekwaso, the acting president of UNF, has confirmed that steps are being taken to establish a normalization committee as soon as possible. The committee will comprise new members who were not part of the previous executive and will be overseen by a representative from World Netball.
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The National Council of Sports will not be involved in the selection of this committee but will provide support throughout the process.
While efforts to reach the removed and suspended UNF members were unsuccessful, supporters of the sport have expressed a sense of relief in response to these developments.
