Is it end of Ogwel era? 

Rattled by persistent allegations of financial impropriety, the once all-powerful National Council of Sports (NCS) general secretary Bernard Ogwel looks like a cornered man in the fight against some of the federations he superintends.

This follows last week’s claims by the Uganda Netball Federation (UNF) president Sarah Babirye that NCS was asking her to account for more money than UNF had actually received. In an interview on one of the local television stations, Babirye admitted UNF received Shs 186 million but she was asked to account for more than Shs 400 million.

Babirye also alleged that the UNF executive was always under pressure to remit ‘kick-backs’ to NCS if they were to continue receiving funds. This is not the first time such allegations have been made against Ogwel and NCS. Last year, Uganda Boxing Federation (UBF)’s Moses Muhangi uttered similar claims before a parliamentary probe committee.

Alfred Odong, the general secretary of the Uganda Gymnastics Association, also accused Ogwel of siding with a break-away faction to manage the body’s finances.

Odong said: “Last year, Ogwel played a key part in failing our body, when he sided with some individuals that instigated a breakaway from what is in our constitution. That included authorizing them to be signatories to our account, which is beyond his jurisdiction.”

Odong filed a police case against Ogwel, then. Yet, apparently, when the police asked Ogwel for his statement on the matter, he never complied. When The Observer contacted Ogwel, he said Odong was a trouble causer.

These are damning allegations that damage not only the reputation of Ogwel but also NCS’ image as the country’s sports supervisory body. Indeed, Ogwel dismissed the allegations and threatened to file a police case against Babirye.

Addressing a press conference to counter Babirye’s claims last week, Ogwel, whose financial generosity to journalists especially on international trips is a public secret, urged the media to stop covering the issue.  

However, while this saga does not seem to be drawing to a conclusion anytime soon, it generated more questions than answers about the way sports finances are managed in this country. Lack of well-documented systems to ensure safety nets and accountability is in the glare.

Last year, Speaker Anita Among ordered parliament to probe the dealings of NCS.  However, the probe committee, which interrogated Ogwel and other NCS officials, is yet to release its report. Considering the latest exchanges between Ogwel and Babirye, observers feel that the NCS man should have been interdicted from office to allow proper investigations.

AUDITOR GENERAL QUERIES

The basis of Ogwel’s request for accountability from Babirye stems from queries raised in the Auditor General’s report, which pins UNF on the Pent Series trio to Namibia where Shs 139.3m was disbursed by NCS to the federation.

The AG’s report indicates the trip expenses were met by hosts Namibia. “A review of the invitation letter from Netball Namibia revealed that accommodation costs while in Namibia were to be fully covered by the hosts,” the Auditor General’s report stated.

“Contrary to the invitation letter, I noted that the federation presented receipts worth Shs 139,347,810 in respect to accommodation from Safari Hotels Namibia on receipt number 227899 dated 21/11/201. This, therefore, makes the transaction doubtful because the hosts clearly indicated in their invitation letter that accommodation costs would be covered by them.”

If true, the matter would endanger Babirye for having fraudulently acquired government money for an international engagement which had been fully facilitated by the hosts.

Given how the controversy has soiled the image of NCS, it remains to be seen whether Peter Ogwang, the Sports state minister, will crack the whip and order Ogwel to step aside.

That said, Ogwel is not new to controversies. In 2003, he withered the storm as Akol FC coach when his team conceded a record 22 goals against SC Villa in a fixed match to help the Jogoos win the league title at the expense of bitter rivals Express FC.

The then Lira-based Akol FC had their goalkeeper killed during hostage of players in one of Kampala’s suburbs.