Twenty two (22) Ugandan referees have on Wednesday received their Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) working badges at the FUFA House in Mengo, Kampala.
Chief Guest FUFA Vice President, Justus Mugisha decorates FIFA Assistant referee, Lydia Nantabo Wanyama her badge at FUFA House, Mengo.
The positive development followed the world’s governing body’s approval of the list earlier submitted by Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA).
FIFA Medical and Referees’ committee member, Dr James Ssekajugo, FUFA Vice President, Justus Mugisha, FUFA Referees Standing Committee Chairman, Sam Mpiima, FUFA CEO Edgar Watson, FUFA referees’ manager, Samuel Egesa officiated at the function held at the Federation Headquarters in Mengo.
Samuel Kayondo receives his fifa badge from FUFA CEO Edgar Watson
Dr Ssekajugo congratulated all the referees upon having secured the badge but challenged them to keep fit, adhere to the professional ethics and norms.
Dr Ssekajugo remarked;
I congratulate all of you (FIFA Referees) upon having achieved to this height. Work hard and respect your job. At FIFA, we only consider quality and to the quotas allocated by each nation.
FUFA Vice President, Justus Mugisha, represented the FUFA President, Eng. Moses Magogo at the event.
FIFA Referees and Medical committee member Dr. James Ssekajugo hands the badge to referee, Dennis Batte.
He thanked referees for the effort to serve the beautiful game. He heaped praise on all the FUFA administrators and referee instructors for the transparent process.
Raising the number of FIFA referees from 13 to 22 at the moment is a great achievement. Lets keep the fitness and performance levels high so that we can increase the numbers even more.
Mr Mpiima urged the referees to observe rules and regulations, officiate matches sanctioned by FUFA and attend the regular Sunday classes meant to review the standard of refereeing from the officials.
We are planning a course of young referees with regular promotional examinations to avoid stunted referees. I also caution you to desist from any form of betting.
For the first time, Uganda has been allocated slots for FIFA Beach referees.
Ivan Bayige Kintu, Shafic Mugerwa and Muhammed Ssenteza are the first FIFA Beach Soccer referees from Uganda.
FIFA BEACH SOCCER REFEREES: (L-R): Muhammed Ssenteza, Ivan Bayige Kintu and Shafic Mugerwa with FUFA CEO, Edgar Watson
The trio are expected to roll into duty immediately with the upcoming CAF Beach Soccer qualifiers.
Uganda now has 22 FIFA active referees, bring the total number of referees to have held the FIFA badge to 84.
Center Referees:
Denis Batte, Mashood Ssali, Brian Nsubuga Miiro, Rajab Kalyonkolo Bakasambe and Ali Chelangat Sabilla
Assistant Referees:
Musa Balikoowa Ngobi, Lee Okello , Mark Ssonko, Samuel Kayondo, Ronald Katenya and Hussein Bugembe
Beach Soccer Referees:
Ivan Bayige Kintu, Shafic Mugerwa and Muhammed Ssenteza
Women Referees:
Aisha Nabikko Ssemmambo, Irene Namubiru and Anna Akoyi.
Women Assistant Referee:
Catherine Cynthia Nagaddya, Nakitto Nkumbi, Lydia Wanyama Nantabo, Jane Mutonyi and Diana Junia Mukasa
MAIN PHOTO: The 22 FIFA Referees pose for a group photograph with FIFA Medical and Referees’ Committee Member, Dr. James Ssekajugo and other FUFA officials after receiving their badges at FUFA House Mengo
PHOTO CREDITS: FUFA Communications Department
