Kampala, Uganda: Express FC has been fined Shs1,000,000 by the FUFA Disciplinary Panel after an ambulance failed to evacuate an injured player during their Uganda Premier League match against NEC FC on April 21.
The panel found Express FC in breach of Rule 39(4), which requires every match to have a functional ambulance on standby, citing a serious lapse in match-day medical preparedness.
The incident occurred after NEC midfielder Richard Basangwa was injured following a challenge involving Glory Kisule. Basangwa collapsed on the pitch and remained motionless for several moments, sparking concern among players, officials, and fans.
Attempts to use the stadium ambulance failed due to a mechanical fault, forcing officials to improvise as a private Toyota Land Cruiser was driven onto the pitch to rush the player to Case Hospital for urgent medical attention.
NEC FC later confirmed that Basangwa’s condition had stabilised, indicating that he had been struck in the throat by an elbow during the incident.
The match ended in a goalless draw, but attention quickly shifted to safety concerns following the delayed emergency response.
In its ruling, the disciplinary panel ordered Express FC to pay the fine within 14 days and warned the club to strictly comply with medical requirements in future fixtures.
In a separate decision, Lugazi FC player Leku Alfred was handed a five-match suspension for misconduct during a match against Kitara FC on April 25 after being found guilty of striking a referee with a water bottle.
The panel classified the act as violent conduct against a match official. Leku will miss the remainder of the season, with any outstanding suspension to be carried forward into the next campaign. He was also fined Shs500,000 and cautioned over his future conduct.
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