Federations Funds Scandal: Babirye Takes a Lead Again, Ogwel on Defensive as IGG Directs NCS To Transfer All Funds For Netball in Seven Days
Since we last had a battle of words between National Council of Sports General Secretary Dr. Bernard Ogwel and Uganda Netball Federation president, Hon. Babirye Kityo Sarah in early February about the accountability issues, finally we are reaching on the climax of the saga.
Before they bursted each other in media, the CID, State Minister for Sports Hon Peter Ogwang and Inspectorate of Government (IGG) had already picked interest in the case between NCS and UNF. IGG was the the first the first to finalize with her investigations and the findings shows that National Council of Sports was in the wrong to withheld Netball funds for last one and half years.
According to a letter this website sneaked a copy, where the IGG was writing to General Secretary of National Council of Sports, dated 19th March 2023, the IGG directed council to transfer all the funds meant for Uganda Netball Federation in a period of seven days upon receipt and also provide the evidence after the practice.
Before reaching to that matter, the IGG revealed that Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic development indeed transfered 7 billion shillings to NCS.
“Pursuant to the complaints, preliminary investigations conducted revealed that funds amounting to Ugx 7bn was indeed transfered by ministry of finance planning and economic development.” The letter confirms.
In his statements while addressing media about the Uganda Netball Federation’s failure to account for the moneys received for Namibia trip, Dr. Bernard Ogwel asserted that Council disbursed over 450 million shillings to UNF and failed to account for it. Yet Babirye Kityo, the UNF president in her statement asserted that the Federation received 186 millions and they accounted for it in time.
Also in that matter, IGG had keen interest and this is what they found out; More findings reveal that National Council of Sports released/transfered only Ugx. 186,374,110 to Uganda Netball Federation in quarter two of 2020/2021 l, instead of Ugx. 425,014,000/- planned for the two tournaments of she Cranes pent series and Africa Championship trip to Namibia” Findings.
“The accountabilities for the above funds and report regarding the tournaments were dully submitted to National Council of Sports on 25/11/2021. The funds was remitted on 28/10/2021.” The letter to General Secretary NCS clears the air.
The IGG also found out the NCS has been using the accountability excuse and withheld the funds meant for Netball.
“……..the National Council of Sports instead withheld release of more funds to Uganda Netball Federation on account of failure to properly accounting for ugx.014,000 allegedly released for the two tournaments held in Namibia.”
IGG said that withholding UNF funds on false accusations creeped the Federations plans and yet they have world cup in July, Women and men Africa Netball Championships and Uganda is the host in November 2023, so the IGG directed NCS to release UNF money for proper preparations for those tournaments.
…….. therefore, withholding of Uganda Netball Federation funds on allegations of unaccounted for funds by National Council of Sports on unsubstantiated allegations is counterproductive and thus, malicious…..”
The Article 230(2) of the 1995 constitution and section 14(6) of Inspectorate of Government Act, 2002 provides this;
“The Inspectorate may during the course of his/her findings, make such orders and give such directives as are necessary and appropriate in the circumstance.”
“…….this is therefore to direct you (NCS) to transfer the funds meant for Uganda Netball Federation with seven (7 days) of receipt of this directive upon the transfer, you are further directed to furnish this office with evidence of such transfer to the Federation as soon as practicable to form our opinion on the next course of action.”
It’s now in the hands of NCS either to transfer the funds or not as we also wait for report of Parliamentary Adhoc committee, that of CID and that of State Minister for Sports.
The letter was shared to Minister of Education and Sports, State Minister for Sports, National Council of Sports, Uganda Netball Federation president and other relevant authorities.