In recent years, questions have arisen regarding Moses Magogo’s leadership at the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), with mounting allegations suggesting he has turned the football association into his personal business.
Magogo, who has been at the helm of FUFA since 2013, has survived multiple scandals and accusations, but fresh concerns from internal sources paint a picture of a leader whose influence over the sport goes beyond his formal role as president.
Concentration of Power Within FUFA
Sources inside FUFA reveal that Magogo has effectively taken over the operations of the association, marginalizing other leaders who were initially tasked with running the institution.
Although Edgar Watson, FUFA’s CEO, is supposed to be in charge of the day-to-day running of the organization, Magogo’s influence has reportedly sidelined him. Watson is now primarily seen attending international meetings, with his influence significantly diminished.
Magogo is accused of surrounding himself with loyalists who help him run the organization, relegating senior leaders to mere public figures without meaningful decision-making power.
Insiders describe the current state of FUFA as a highly centralized entity where Magogo makes all critical decisions, ignoring the hierarchical structure that should ideally be in place.
Allegations of Personal Benefits for Female Employees
An even more troubling accusation centers around Magogo’s alleged favoritism toward certain female employees. According to sources, Magogo has flown several female staff members to destinations such as Nairobi and Johannesburg, where they reportedly engaged in personal activities with him.
These trips have allegedly resulted in subsequent promotions for the employees involved, further fueling concerns about Magogo’s misuse of power within FUFA.
Monopoly Over Football Supply Chain
Magogo’s influence in Ugandan football appears to extend well beyond FUFA’s internal workings. The president set up a company called Janzi, which has become the official kit manufacturer for the Uganda Cranes, Uganda’s national football team. Additionally, Janzi has been awarded the contract to manufacture the “Zakayo” ball, FUFA’s newly introduced official match ball.
Controversially, the Zakayo ball was fast-tracked to become the official match ball without undergoing the rigorous testing or dry runs typically required for such equipment. This move has raised serious concerns within the football community, with many questioning the transparency and legitimacy of the process.
Conflict with Media Partners
Magogo’s reach also appears to extend into broadcasting rights, as illustrated by a recent incident involving the Uganda Premier League’s title sponsors, Startimes.
Magogo allegedly pressured Startimes to sever its broadcasting partnership with Next Media Services, which had been the official broadcaster of the league through its channels, Sanyuka and Sanyuka Prime.
This decision has sparked widespread dissatisfaction among football fans, particularly after the botched broadcast of Uganda’s match against Congo.
The game, which was expected to be a high-profile event, saw its coverage start 30 minutes late, with many viewers criticizing the quality of the broadcast.
Observers have pointed out that Next Media’s proven track record in live sports broadcasting was overlooked, suggesting that the decision to cut ties may have been driven by Magogo’s personal interests rather than what was best for Ugandan football.
Historical Allegations and Scandals
Magogo’s tenure at FUFA has long been mired in controversy, and the recent accusations fit a pattern of alleged corruption and conflicts of interest. One of the earliest scandals linked to Magogo involved the resale of 2014 World Cup tickets, which led to a two-month suspension and a fine imposed by FIFA after a plea bargain in 2019. Despite this, Magogo has remained a dominant force in Ugandan football.
The president has also been tied to PearlSporto Investments and Satellite Plus Systems, companies that have benefitted from their connections to FUFA. PearlSporto, for instance, was contracted to transport fans for Uganda Cranes away games and issued computerized tickets for matches. More recently, PearlSporto has reportedly been positioned to manage the construction of stadiums for AFCON 2027, raising further concerns about Magogo’s role in awarding these lucrative contracts.
Political Ambitions and Personal Scandals
Magogo’s influence extends beyond football. In 2021, he became a Member of Parliament for Budiope East, a move he argued would benefit Ugandan football through increased funding and improved infrastructure. However, his political career has also been tainted by scandal.
During his campaign, accusations surfaced about his relationship with his chief campaigner, Prossy Mwanjuzi, culminating in a confrontation with one of Magogo’s wives. Magogo’s personal life has repeatedly intersected with his public role, with other allegations of affairs further complicating his reputation.
In one such instance, shortly after introducing his second wife, Dellah Sally, Magogo was accused of having an affair with Arena Kasyata.
Kasyata openly admitted to the affair, citing Magogo’s wealth as her motivation. This scandal ignited further drama when Kasyata accused media personality Tinah Teise of also being involved with Magogo, leading to a legal threat from Teise.
Survival Amidst Sanctions and Scrutiny
Despite the numerous allegations leveled against him, Magogo has managed to hold onto power within FUFA and beyond. This is thanks to his tampering of the FUFA constitution that essentially made him the only man fit to hold the position of President.
It is said that his relationship with Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has also helped him maintain control. It is reported that on several occasions, with the resources of his wife Anita Among, Magogo has harassed and intimidated people critical of him and the running of FUFA.
However, recent sanctions from US and UK authorities have added a new layer of scrutiny to his leadership. These sanctions, reportedly related to corruption concerns, threaten to destabilize his control over FUFA as well as his broader political and business ambitions.
Reports have surfaced suggesting that a section of leaders at FUFA are unhappy about the situation and are currently working on a coup to take over the running of Uganda’s football’s governing body.
