Armed South Sudanese gunmen have killed several officers and soldiers of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), an official army of South Sudan, in the attack targeting government officials in Raja town, which is the administrative capital of the newly-created Lol state.
The attack which occurred on Wednesday morning resulted in a one day capture of the state capital by the gunmen after senior government officials, including Governor Rizik Zechariah Hassan, fled the town for their safety. Also, several officers were killed including those in charge of the governor’s bodyguards.
The head of gubernatorial guard force, Captain Deng Akuei Diing, is one of several officers and soldiers who have been killed in the attack.
Several others including one of the drivers of Governor Hassan also sustained injuries as they were trying to flee the town amid heavy gunfire.
At least 9 gubernatorial guards, according to several state government officials, have been confirmed killed in the fighting.
Five guards who sustained injuries have been received at Aweil hospital. Others have been received at Nyamellel and Marialbai where they are getting medical attention at local primary health units.
While others are being treated some are reportedly still on their way to where they would be assisted.
Government officials reportedly returned to Raja on Thursday following the withdrawal of the gunmen who took control of the capital on Wednesday.
There are conflicting explanations as to the exit of the armed fighters. While some said they withdrew voluntarily and government officials had to return after confirming their withdrawal, others said the Darfuri rebels of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) who had a base near the town were asked by the South Sudan army to help in the fight which dislodged the gunmen from the town on Wednesday evening.
No group has claimed responsibility for the assault on the state capital and the government could not identify the attackers only to describe them as ‘bandits’.
A Mbuya Military Hospital doctor on Thursday evening revealed that he expects the Makindye Military barracks shooting death toll to increase, as two survivors are still in critical condition.
Of the 21 victims admitted, two critically ill patients are undergoing treatment in the hospital’s intensive care unit according to the doctor who preferred not be named because of security reasons.
“No patients have succumbed to their injuries since the initial patients who came to us at the time of the shooting,” he told EagleOnline. “All of the patients since arrival to the hospital are still with us.”
Most are “steadily improving,” he said, although “there are one or two of those [critically ill patients] that I would consider to be profoundly ill.”
Uganda was on Thursday gripped by a second mass shooting in less than a week when seven people were shot dead inside Makindye Military barracks by a UPDF soldier, Sergeant Obua Isaac, who was also been killed in the shoot out.
The spokesperson of Military police Capt Edward Birungi confirmed the incident, saying the barracks has been cordoned off.
Most of those confirmed dead are soldiers’ wives and children whose bodies have been taken to Mulago National Referral Hospital mortuary while the causalities are military police who were involved in the crossfire.
Though details about are still scanty, an unofficial military insider tells EagleOnline that Sergeant Obua Isaac an Acholi by tribe had been connected to Col Dan Opito Odwee attached to Air Force who has been incarcerated suspected to be linked to rebel groups.
The killer is believed to have been tipped off about his impending arrested thus tried to put up a resistance which ending up in a crossfire.
According to Army spokesperson Lt Col Paddy Ankunda, “Sergeant Isaac Obua, himself was been put out of action” during the crossfire.
Since last week, security operatives launched a hunt on people suspected to be linked to rebel groups. This has left several people including Col Dan Opito, Capt Andrew Oja attached to Bombo Military Barracks incarcerated and Nakawa MP Michael Kabazuguruka and many others incarcerated.
DENIED DEFYING COURT ORDERS: Defence and Army spokesman Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda.
Sgt Obua Isaac, the shooter has been killed in ensuing shootout.
All those killed in the Makindye barracks that are cordoned off are women and children.
“Sad moment Sgt Obua Isaac of military police Makindye has just gone bonkers killed seven people.
All of the killed are women and children, one child injured. Sgt Obua Isaac, the killer himself has been put out of action,” said Col. Paddy Ankunda, the army spokesman.
The incident was also confirmed by the spokesperson of Military police Capt Edward Birungi, saying the barracks has now off access as they try to restore normalcy.
There was a gun shootout inside the Makindye Military Barracks days after the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) repulsed an onslaught on their headquarters at Mbuya.
By press time, details about casualties were still scanty but eight people reported dead by Col. Paddy Ankunda, the army spokesman.
According to unconfirmed reports, the assailant Sgt Obua Isaac of military police Makindye was said to be resisting arrest in connection to recent arrests of UPDF soldiers being linked to a new unnamed rebel group that wants to topple President Museveni’s recently inaugurated government.
A rescue futile mission was carried out on Sunday night by unknown gunmen wielding AK47 assault rifles and light machine guns attacked Gulu Central Police Station and killed two officers.
The attackers were repulsed by the police and army who responded with heavy gunfire that rocked Gulu town for nearly an hour.
Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, on Monday said the primary motive of the Sunday attackers was to rescue Mr Dan Oola Odiya, a Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) mobiliser suspected to have masterminded the May attack.
Since last week, security operatives launched a hunt on people suspected to be linked to rebel groups. This has left several people including Col Dan Opito attached to Air Force, Capt Andrew Oja attached to Bombo Military Barracks incarcerated and Nakawa MP Michael Kabazuguruka incarcerated.
South Sudan government spokesman Michael Makeui Lueth
The South Sudan government has grudgingly admitted falling short of cash to pay civil servants and for essential services, raising fears that such an open admission may lead to uncertainty and insolvency.
Information Minister and government official spokesperson, Michael Makuei Lueth, announced in a statement that the government has no money to make prompt payments to the employees, claiming he himself has not been paid for the last three months and ‘did not complain’.
Lueth argued that people should not demand payments for months which were not paid but rather wait for the months ahead, asserting the government has no money to pay for accumulated and unpaid months.
He was answering a question put to him by a reporter about payment of the civil servants after attending a regular cabinet meeting in which the council resolved to ask the leadership of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) under the leadership of the First Vice President, Riek Machar, to talk to one of his senior commanders, General Johnson Olony, to permit the use of river transport to move grains from Renk to Juba and other parts of the country in order to help the situation.
General Olony is the commander of Sector One in Upper Nile state in the areas under the control of the SPLA-IO. His forces have closed the river Nile route between Renk and Malakal in Upper Nile state.
But minister Lueth’s open admission of lack of funds to make payments has received mixed reactions from the general public and from the government, with some officials describing it as ‘inappropriate statement’.
Others argued that the remarks were part of a political ploy to convince the civil servants to exercise patience as the government is seeking ways out to make payments.
Critics of the government have also interpreted the statement to mean attempt by the government to elicit sympathy and support from the international community.
Many in government, including President Salva Kiir, were persuaded to accept the signing of the peace agreement as a way to receive support to improve the currently struggling economic situation and to avoid sanctions and other measures as incentive for blocking peace efforts.
However, international support has not yet come forth, owing to the lack of political will to implement the peace agreement by the parties.
Among many issues that need to be tackled include the status of the controversial 28 states unilaterally created against the 10 states stipulated in the August 2015 peace deal and cantonment of opposition forces across the country.
International financial experts and institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have warned of further economic deterioration in South Sudan.
Photoshop nerd Ms Kinya, imposes her photo to appear like she is in China
Most, if not all choices and decisions made in our everyday life are to ensure that we not only survive but also make it in life.
Making it in life mainly requires that we strive to attain the life that we are constantly bombarded with as we go about our daily businesses and this is usually achieved through several platforms such as social media, television and adverts among others, usually depicting wealth, luxury, fast cars and comfort.
MIXED MIGHT: The controlling the power of civilian-military might
The urge to prosper in life is so in-born some have described it as ‘second nature’ or instinct. However, just because we all have the desire to live the ‘American dream’ does not mean that everyone is entitled to a meal ticket at the end of the day. But for those many who have failed miserably at life, all hope is not lost; millions of people come up with ways and methods in which they can forge a way to their desires if not just for a like or a retweet on social media!
TAMING CARNOVORES: A photoshop imposition of a man stepping on a leopard
Uganda, like any other country, is filled with millions of red-blooded humans, who are no exception to the latest media craze. Constantly on the move and desperately trying to keep up with the era, Ugandans have experienced wave after wave of new and exciting patterns in the social media sphere.
CELEBRITY UPDATE: ‘Chilling out with a celeb’
We’ve seen the baggy and skinny jeans, tight fittings, the Brazilian hair, the crop tops, the Mohawk and this is not to mention the gadget craze where the smart phone is trending. And the list goes on. Interestingly, one new episode that has failed terribly to register with so many Ugandans is none other than the photo-shop craze.
Photo-shop is the app through which one sophisticated enough to use a computer or rather a tech-savvy nerd can virtually alter an image to create something entirely new or different with the help of apps such as Photo image-editing software, Jimp or Corel among other apps.
AIR TRAVEL MADE SIMPLE! Imaginary air travel
Indeed, Ugandans have managed to create a façade in which all their hearts’ desires are met, with no one the wiser on how and when they become so fortunate, or so they think.
However, it is not the use or accessibility of photo-shop that has proven to be a spectacle, but rather how miserably people are failing to click the art of photo-shop.
There is a common saying in Uganda that goes something like: ‘film star taffa’ loosely translating into ‘the protagonist in a film never dies’ lest the story prematurely ends.
PHOTOSHOP IMPOSED: Sitting on a giraffe
And it is with this same ideology that so many Ugandans have refused to count their losses, choosing instead to keep on fighting to ensure that they too tell their story, be it real or virtual.
Sitting atop the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi
From fraternizing with wild animals to sitting atop the Empire State Building, the sky is the limit when it comes to the dreams that can be achieved by so many with the help of photo-shop.
We must understand that photo-shop has been in existence for some time now, most especially used by advertisement companies and many other media outlets to enhance photos to meet required market standards for advert use.
CARS AND BUSES: Double-deck travel is it
But when such technology is open to the public, and rest assured many will exploit such an opportunity, there is no telling what can happen; the unpredictability of the outcome is what has proven to be a spectacle of sheer amusement and entertainment for many internet users.
WINNER: I can fly on one wing!
Interestingly, the amount of time and innovation put into these re-edited images can either render them a show of pure genius or source of ridicule!
Nonetheless, the key to a good photo-edit is to ensure that the re-invented image looks as authentic as possible; one small misplaced angle or feature is enough to blow the cover off any credible photo-shop.
CAR CRAZE: Befriending fast-moving and flashy cars
Most common photo-shop images on the web today mostly include faked trips abroad, socializing with celebrities or postures next to flashy items and super cars among other fantasies.
Imaginary fraternising with a celebrity
It is not clear what exactly makes these photos a hit on the internet, whether it’s the pure hilarity of the obvious or the acrid stench of desperation that emits from the images. But one thing for sure is that they can make you famous.
Shaking hands with the world’s most powerful person
A good example of failed nerds-turned-overnight-successful persons is Sevelyn Kinya also known as Seve Gats on Facebook of Kenya, one of many other photo-shopaholics. With a number of poorly edited images on Facebook, Kinya has managed to fake a number of trips to China including visiting the Great Wall. She has also indulged herself in a number of escapades on her profile, making her an internet sensation overnight, with her faked images getting several ‘likes and shares’ across the world on Facebook.
SKY-DIVING: Ms Kinya shows off her imposed sky-diving techniques
Fortunate for Ms Kinya, whatever she lacked in her photo-shop expertise she made up for in consistency, landing her an actual trip to China, funded by fellow countrymen who were touched by her pitiful attempts at persistently faking an imagined trip.
Indeed, Ms Kinya’s persistence goes a long way in showing that it is never a good idea to give up on your dreams!
Schools often aspire to be nurturing and supportive institutions. For gay and lesbian students, however, experience dictates that it can be a place of seclusion rather than support. In fact, in many private and faith-based schools, “coming out” is sufficient grounds for expulsion.
However at Mbarara High School the oldest secondary school in Western Uganda and where Yoweri Kaguta Museveni – President of Uganda studied from reached the point of no return when they discovered that the highest student leader, School Head Boy was the recruiting officer.
Actually, over the weekend, the school founded 105 years ago by Anglican, Christian missionaries affiliated with the Church of England, decided to send over 20 boys home on suspicion of practicing homosexuality, Campus Bee reported.
They revealed how at around 2am on the morning of Sunday June 12 2016, three students in their senior three were caught viewing pictures on gay dating sites on their smart phones.
Before they knew what was happening, they were surrounded by a gang of their fellow students who started shouting, “homosexuals, homosexuals!
The noise alarmed the rest of the student’s community who gathered and started beating the three.
The victims were battered severely and forced to divulge names of other students involved in homosexuality.
In fear of being tortured further, they named a number of students; one of whom was the Head boy.
The Police intervened and rescued the victims from the lynching mob before escorting them to their homes.
Reports further indicate that as of Tuesday afternoon, management had a list of over 20 students who were being accused of engaging in same sex relationships and had resolved to suspend them indefinitely. Three students were injured in the fiasco and rushed to hospital.
One Mbarara based media station says that the school’s headmaster, Benon Twinomujuni, said the school authorities’ action was done in a bid to move the institution forward and to serve as deterrent to others.
Asked whether Mbarara High has punished students with expulsion or lesser penalties for engaging in prohibited behavior other than “homosexual acts,” Twinomujuni said yes.
“Our student Code of Conduct, which is clearly outlined, any student involved in sexually immoral behavior, including premarital sex, adultery, and homosexual acts, is at minimum sent home on suspension.”
He advised parents to be diligent in the upbringing of their wards, adding that the administration would not condone any act of indiscipline from any student.
In February 2014, President Museveni signed into law the Anti-Homosexuality Bill that spelt out tough penalties against gay people.
At the public signing ceremony, the President declared he would not allow the West to impose its values on Uganda.
However, six months later, the Constitutional Court declared the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into an Act a nullity.
Mbabara High School history
It was established in 1911 by Anglican Christian missionaries affiliated with the Church of England. The land on which the school was built is owned by Ankole Diocese, of the Church of Uganda. The school started as a Junior Secondary School and was one of the six junior secondary schools in Ankole district.
The other junior secondary schools were; St.Joseph and St.Hellens in Nyamitanga in Mbarara; Bweranyangi Girls in Bushenyi, St. Georges Kagongo in Ibanda, and Kitunga in Ntungamo district.
The school is among the most prestigious schools in Uganda, outstanding to its excellent academic record. It is located on Ruharo hill the seat of Ankole Diocese and it is next to the Bishop’s house.
The school is currently one of the biggest High Schools in Uganda with over 1,700 students. While the church of Uganda has the ownership and control of the school, the government of Uganda, through the ministry of education, contrubutes to the school’s budget.
It is perhaps the region with the highest number of princes and princesses in Uganda.
The Busoga region boasts of 11 chiefdoms, with five of them belonging to the ruling class, the Baisengobi, providing direct leadership through a would-be rotational power structure with the Isebantu Kyabazinga at the helm.
The Baisengobi is comprised of five clans among them Ngobi, Gabula, Tabingwa, Zibondo and Nkono, whose clanmates have over the years graced the political landscape of Uganda. The Basoga are industrious, have academic clout, but can also alternative thought processes for other Ugandans.
Indeed, among the other tribes in Uganda, the Basoga are generally regarded as ‘obstinate’, usually chidingly reflected in their firm use of the word ‘Bbe’, a general expression of refusal or defiance.
Distinctly, the Basoga women are also famed for their ‘matriarchal permissiveness’, usually expressed through the saying: ‘Omumwami kyakoba nzena kyenkoba’, loosely translated as ‘what the boss/man says is what I follow’. It is perhaps the combination of the above-mentioned character traits that President Yoweri Museveni, a man known for his predilection for resoluteness and loyalty, was endeared to the Basoga women, elevating them to some of the highest positions in the country during his 30 year rule.
Below are some of the women who have graced the Museveni dining table during his 30 year tenure as the First Citizen.
Dr Specioza Wandira Kazibwe
The Museveni Busoga female group is led by Dr Specioza Wandira Kazibwe, the first-ever female to hold the post of Vice President in Uganda and the whole of Africa, serving from 1994 to 2003.
Born in 1955, the 61-year old Dr Kazibwe, who is currently gunning for the Chairmanship of the African Union (AU) through a project funded by the government to the tune of Shillings 4.5 billion, served as Uganda VP for 9 years, during which time she elicited controversy and candidness in governance, in almost equal measure.
Prior to serving as VP, Dr Kazibwe, who honed her political astuteness as a youthful Democratic Party (DP) supporter, was the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF). She also served as the Deputy Minister of Youth and Culture, a time she also perfected her dancing skills, but also one that allegedly marked the beginning of the crumbling of her marriage to Engineer Charles Kazibwe (RIP).
Dr Wandira Kazibwe holds a Shillings two billion Doctorate from the Harvard School of Public Health in the US, and was also the founding chairperson of the Board of the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC) of Uganda. In effect Dr Kazibwe is the second biggest beneficiary of Mr Museveni’s ‘Busoga women goodies bag’, coming in immediately after the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga.
Rebecca Kadaga Alitwala
Like Dr Wandira Kazibwe, the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has her political roots in the Democratic Party. A lawyer of grandstanding among her colleagues, the 60-year old Ms Kadaga’s political expedition has seen her represent Kamuli district, both as Constituent Assembly Delegate (CAD) and Member of Parliament (MP) for 20 years. During that time she has also held various ministerial positions including Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, State Minister for Regional Cooperation; State Minister for Communication and Aviation.
Speaker of parliament Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga
Currently Ms Kadaga is serving her second term as Speaker, having earlier served as Deputy Speaker for ten years, in effect making her the biggest beneficiary of Mr Museveni’s ‘Busoga women goodies bag’.
Justine Kasule Lumumba
NRM secretary General Justin Kasule Lumumba
Her love for flowers is reflected in the 1000 species that adorn her exquisite house. But unknown to many Justine Lumumba Kasule, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretary General and Member of Parliament (MP) for Bugiri, is a teacher-turned-politician who has scaled the heights of power, rising to the fourth most important position in the ruling party.
Born in 1972, the 44-year old Ms Lumumba, who has also served as the NRM Chief Whip, joined politics in 2001.
Faith Mwondha
Currently a High Court Judge, Lady Justice Faith Mwondha once served as the Inspector General of Government (IGG) who, at a time when faced with occupational challenges, described herself as ‘God’s Warrior’.
Former IGG Justice Faith Mwondha
Also, at the time when Lady Justice Mwondha was serving as IGG, she reportedly opted to continue getting a judge’s salary (which was bigger), a development that elicited scorn against her and almost caused a ‘judicial and legal furore’. However, in the ensuing legal battle High Court Judge Yasin Nyanzi saved Ms Mwondha from the attendant embarrassment when he ruled in her favour and awarded her damages of Shs100 million.
Also, at the height of her occupational woes, with the ‘warrior and God’ in her evoked, Ms Mwondha controversially stepped down from the IGG office after the Constitutional Court ruled that she should appear for parliamentary vetting before taking up Mr Museveni’s re-appointment to office to serve a second term.
Irene Mulyagonga Kakooza
Lady Justice Irene Mulyagonja Kakooza replaced her colleague Ms Mwondha as substantive holder of the Inspectorate of Government (IGG) office. A member of the family of Jinja construction magnate Fred Mulyagonja Senior (RIP), the soft-spoken, Lady Justice Mulyagonja prefers to carry out her work discreetly.
Victoria Balyejusa Sekitoleko
Former Agriculture minister Victoria Sekitoleko Balyejusa
Born in 1953, the 63-year old Victoria Balyejusa Sekitoleko is probably the first and longest female to serve in any of Mr Museveni’s cabinets over the years, holding the docket of the agriculture ministry for 9 years, from 1986 to 1995. She was also a member of the National Resistance Council (NRC), and later on secondment by the Museveni government, joined the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), working in several countries across the world.
Recently, during the 2016 elections Ms Sekitoleko was involved with an advocacy group, the Women Situation Room.
Beatrice Zirabamuzaale
Princess Beatrice Zirabamuzaale rose to national prominence as the Woman MP for Iganga, and later as Minister in charge of Luwero Triangle. But before that Ms Zirabamuzaale was more known in Busoga as the mother of Afrigo Band’s songstress Rachael Magoola of the ‘Obangaina’ fame. Rachael later tried her hand in politics but was not successful.
OUTSHINING MUM: Nationally, Songstress Rachel Magoola (pictured) is more known than mum Beatrice Zirabamuzaale, a one time
Margaret Kisira Mbeiza Manana
Margaret Mbeiza ‘rose’ to national recognition, all for the wrong reasons. The lady MP from Kaliro was twice rejected by the Parliament’s Vetting Committee on ‘moral grounds’ after President Museveni had appointed her the Minister of State for Economic Monitoring. In the subsequent elections she lost but was named Mayuge Resident District Commissioner (RDC). But this time round Ms Mbeiza bounced back to Parliament, although her name didn’t appear on the list of Ministers.
Esther Mbulakubuza Mbayo
Esther Mbulakubuza Mbayo can be regarded a first timer in every sense of the word and, on the national scene little was known of her before June 6, 2016 when Mr Museveni issued a list with her name as a minister in the 80-member cabinet. Indeed, not only was she named minister, but the Luuka county MP walked away with a ministerial portfolio that has eluded so many old timers. The Presidency.
SURPRISE CABINET PACKAGE: Presidency Minister Esther Mbulakubuza Mbayo
A Bachelor of Commerce graduate from Makerere University, Ms Mbayo will henceforth be charged with supervising the functionality of the highest office in the land, making sure that her colleagues and RDCs are in sync with what the ‘Big man’s’ vision of transforming Uganda into a middle income country by 2021.
Sarah Kanyike taking Oath as Deputy Lord Mayor Kampala
Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago has appointed a DP-leaning independent LC V Woman Councillor for Makindye East, Ms Sarah Kanyike Deputy Lord Mayor.
The development comes as a blow to Forum for Democratic Change, a party whose supporters dominate the council and had hoped Makerere University’s Ms Doreen Nyanjura would be picked by Mr Lukwago.
This was on Thursday during Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) maiden sitting which is ongoing at City Hall.
In October 2011 Lukwago faced resistance from NRM Councilors who were the Majority in the KCCA when he appointed Sulaiman Kidandala his deputy.
Mrs Sarah Kanyike who holds a Bachelor’s degree in education who was seconded by Councilors Bruhan Byaruhanga(Kyambogo), Ssegirinya Muhamad (Kawempe) and Dawdi Lwanga (Kamwokya) immediately accepted her appointment was sworn-in and took Oath of Allegiance.
“I have made consultations. All of you are capable and qualified, but i have to choose one,” Mayor Erias Lukwago said.
In her acceptance speech, Ms Kanyike said she will make sure that the political and technical wings of Kampala work together to uplift the city exactly like the residents asked for.
Ms Ssemakula Musisi, the executive director of KCCA did not attend the council but was represented by her deputy.
Muhamamad Shaban (with trophy) might get Vipers SC punished if Fufa follows up the matter
On Wednesday, Vipers SC petitioned local football governing body Fufa over Onduparaka Football Club captain Muhammad Shaban, who at the ripe old age of 18 is virtually a veteran compared with some of their other acquisitions.
By the end of business today, Vipers had laid to rest any hope of the Arua based minnows Onduparaka not using the goal machine in Shaban when they play their maiden Uganda Cup final against dethroned UPL champions on Saturday, 18th June 2016 at Nakivubo Stadium in Kampala.
As we reported, Fufa Competitions boss Ali Mwebe acknowledged received the Vipers’ protest over Shaban and ruled in Onduparaka’s favour to retain their star player who helped them win promotion to the Uganda Premier League and is leading the scoring charts of the Uganda Cup.
The “employment contract” as signed on 11th June 2015 and submitted for the first time to Fufa along with Vipers protest contravened t regulations – Article 2(21) Minor: A player who has not yet reached the age of 18.
Article 10 of the same regulations stipulates that application for a professional player must be submitted together with a copy of a contract. Fufa says it did not receive any contract for the above player (either a youth agreement for minors) at the time of registration of the same player in your (U-17) side.
The Fufa Secretariat records show that Muhammad Shaban was registered with Onduparaka FC in Fourth division league of Arua District Football Association in 2013/14 season at age of 15 then.
When the club was promoted, the same player featured in the 2014/15 West Nile Regional League and 2015/16 2nd division/FUFA Big League in which Onduparaka FC competed and consequently moved up the ranks to the 1st division/Uganda Premier League.
Shaban Muhammed (2nd left) skippers an Onduparaka side that formed the bulk of the West Nile Select team, who shocked Cranes 1-0 in an exhibition match.
As usual, Fufa is understandably not investigating their former President Lawrence Mulindwa’s (Vipers owner) underage signings, less than two years after Barcelona was given a 14-month transfer ban for breaching the governing body’s rules on signing minors.
The club believes it’s acted within the rules, and sends Fufa information on player registrations.
Shaban Muhammed has been capped for Uganda at all under age levels
Actually top regional clubs like APR, Gor Mahia and Azam have also built extensive networks allowing them to identify and develop young talent. For Vipers, that means bringing the kids to its St. Mary’s Kitende Senior Secondary School to pursue a footballing/academic dream that, statistically, will both probably never be realized, there’s a thin line between exploitation and opportunity.
Actually Vipers (Kitende) has been stockpiling teenage talent overtime – it’s former student players form the core of the current Uganda national team and Under23 sides while the current crop of Muhammad Shaban’s comrades in the Under20 national setup Halidi Luwalira, Alfred Lekku and Frank Zaga Tumwesigye were are lazed into signing binding senior contracts while still minors.
Meanwhile, Kitende has signed or been closely linked with half-a-dozen players who may who shone at the just concluded National COPA COCACOLA championship at Teso College in Soroti district.
