Kampala, Uganda: The Federation of Uganda Football Associations has intensified its crackdown on match manipulation after banning five individuals found guilty of influencing a Uganda Premier League fixture between Lugazi FC and Buhimba United Saints FC.
In a statement released on Monday, June 01, FUFA said its Ethics and Disciplinary Committee found four players and a club official guilty of violating Articles 43 and 44 of the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Code.
The case stems from the Uganda Premier League match played on November 8, 2025, in which Lugazi FC defeated Buhimba United Saints FC 5-2.
“The FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee has found four players and a club administrator guilty of having been involved in match manipulation in violation of art. 43 and art. 44 of the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Code,” the federation said.
Buhimba United Saints players Fred Nkata and Moses Ayebale were each handed five-year bans from all football-related activities.
Their teammate, Ramadhan Dudu, received a two-year suspension, while the club’s Technical Director, James Kalumba, was also banned for five years.
Lifetime Ban for Former Player
The harshest punishment was imposed on former footballer Ali Feni, who received a lifetime ban after the committee found that he coordinated match-fixing activities and acted as a link between players and match manipulators.
“Feni Ali contacted and linked players to match-fixers for the purpose of manipulating matches. He has been banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity for life,” FUFA stated.
The federation said all sanctions took effect immediately after the affected individuals were formally notified of the committee’s decisions.
“The findings of the relevant decisions were notified to each of the concerned individuals, and their relevant bans came into force immediately after receiving the notifications of the decisions,” the statement added.
The latest sanctions add to a growing list of football stakeholders punished for match-fixing and integrity-related offences in Uganda.
Earlier this year, FIFA extended worldwide bans imposed on former Express FC head coach Mike Mutyaba, former club chief executive Miiro Ashraf Mwanje, goalkeeper Emmanuel Kalyowa and former captain Ashraf Mbazira over their involvement in manipulation of a league match against Kitara FC in 2024.
Other Ugandans currently serving FIFA-recognised sanctions include former Calvary FC player Saleh Maganda, former Northern Gateway FC player Franco Oringa and former Gaddafi FC players Godfrey Lwesibawa, Yahaya Mahad Kakooza and Andrew Waiswa, all of whom are serving five-year bans.
Referees George Nkurunziza and Deogracious Opio are also serving 10-year suspensions for offences related to match manipulation.
FUFA said the sanctions are part of ongoing efforts to protect the integrity and credibility of Ugandan football, although all affected individuals retain the right to appeal under the applicable football regulations.
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