Sande Bashaija
18 October 2008
Kampala — Francis Nyangweso will be booted from the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) presidency should he consider seeking another term in office. UOC and its affiliate federations go to polls next year.
"I know General (Nyangweso) won't seek another term. But if he does, I don't think he stands any chance," a senior UOC executive member told Daily Monitor on grounds of anonymity for fear of losing his job.
"There are some senior members, who are interested in the position," the source added. The retired army major general has been at the helm of UOC since 1971.
Much as Nyangweso may face stiff competition at the polls that bring together two officials from each of the 26 federations, the source ruled out a chance of a non-UOC executive member taking the presidency. "You see, we members of UOC have the Olympic spirit. There is no way someone can come from outside and head UOC. We prefer promoting individuals in the executive from one position to another," he said.
But, Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) president Dan Tamwesigire has been linked with the job. Tamwesigire, who is also the sports commissioner, is expected to relinquish the UAF job next year as the per the federation's constitution.
Nyangweso and his cronies have come under pressure following Uganda's inexorable show at the Olympics, which was worsened by a medal-less campaign at this year's edition in Beijing, China.
Throughout Nyangweso's regime, Uganda has managed only one medal-a bronze-courtesy of runner Davis Kamoga in 1996.
To make matters worse, Uganda's image was tainted after UOC treasurer Salim Musoke took his son weightlifter Mubarak Kivumbi to the Beijing Games despite his ineligibility to compete.
The source also singled out Musoke, saying the self-styled administrator may be shown the exit door. "He (Musoke) has gone for almost every trip as if there are no other officials in UOC. At the All Africa Games (Algeria 2007), he took about 11 members of his family," the seemingly disgruntled official pointed out.
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