Norman Katende
22 October 2008
Kampala — FOOTBALL governing body FUFA has interdicted its Chief Executive Officer Charles Masembe for abuse of office. National technical director Edgar Watson will take charge of the CEO's office with immediate effect as investigations into the conduct of Masembe are done.
A committee headed by Col. Jackson 'Bell' Tushabe was named to investigate the allegations of office abuse, which included recommending Eddy Migadde to the Visa section of the British High Commission.
A full executive committee meeting chaired by FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa made the decision late yesterday.
According to FUFA media committee head Rogers Mulindwa, Masembe was not blamed for misunderstanding the 2010 World Cup qualification rules, that had him at the end of the Benin game going on radio to announce that Uganda had advanced.
The CEO was proved wrong as Uganda were third as the FIFA tables had indicated and were knocked out despite a 2-1 win over Benin.
"He did not have an answer on the issue of going to radio and misinforming the public, and he was only cautioned to clearly read the documentation at hand before he makes any statements," Rogers Mulindwa said.
"The suspension is about the letter he wrote at the embassy recommending one Eddy Migadde for a visa."
Tushabe's committee also has Northern region chairman Mike Letti, Lira delegate Patrick Ogwel, Western chairman Chris Kalibbala and Kamuli delegate Abdallah Adam.
"If he is innocent, he will come back to office. If he is guilty, the appropriate action will be taken," Mulindwa said.
Masembe has been CEO since 2000 as FUFA sought to bring professionalism the running of their headquarters and the game in general. He is a former top FIFA referee who handled the 1996 Nations Cup final game and was on a shortlist to handle the 1998 World Cup but was dropped.
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