Familiar faces will be up against each other as incumbent Lydia Gloria Dhamuzungu comes up against Philip Wafula Mulindo for the position of Chairperson – Uganda Hockey Association (UHA) as the sport governing body elects its new leaders in an elective AGM on Saturday, 27th March at the UOC Complex in Lugogo.
Wafula is the current General Secretary of UHA and now wants head the local hockey governing body with Gloria Dhamuzungu seeking a re-election.
Both candidates are members of Weatherhead Hockey Club
“I’m offering myself to serve in the position of Chairperson, which will enable me provide leadership to the executive body as we fulfill the constitution mandate and strategic aspiration of the game,” Gloria Dhamuzungu said in a missive.
Dhamuzungu’s achievements as Chairperson include; securing sponsorships and donations for national hockey sides and leagues (Uganda Baati Ltd, MMI Steel Mills) including equipment donations from Italy, Germany and Netherlands Hockey Federations and Hockey Dreams Foundation.
Among others, one of UHA’s major accomplishment under Dhamuzungu leadership was the holding of DNSS (Development of National Structures and Systems) Project Courses in 2020. Community individuals and teachers in particular were trained as umpires and coaches across the country. Club leaders were engaged too.
Facilitated by FIH experts, the DNSS project was granted to UHA by the Olympic Solidarity through the Uganda Olympic Committee to develop national structures and systems.
UHA also boosts of increase of national league teams, rejuvenation of national sides, capacity building, strategic relations and grass roots development.
Going forward (2021/24 term), Dhamuzungu now wants to get a strategic plan for UHA . “We will need to get a consultant to help us guide the process of a predetermined future,” Gloria Dhamuzungu said.
Dhamuzungu also aims to engage steak holders, develop infrastructures and get alternative homes for hockey, create more avenues for national team engagements and pathways for players in different age grades, promote integrity, financial sustainability, operate an administrative office and build capacity of coaches and games officials to FIH levels from levels 2, 3 and 4.
Wafula who worked hand-in-hand with Dhamuzungu and possibly boosts of the same achievements believes that she did a great job but it’s time to change guard.
“Lydia has done well but we now need a strategic focus in everything that we do,” Wafula told Daily Monitor.
Meanwhile, in the race for Vice Chairperson seat, incumbent Michael Nashimolo is facing opposition from UHA committee member Farida Namubiru and Publicity Secretary Joshua Opolot.
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In the General Secretary race, Stanley Tamale is up against Joseph Kamin. Tamale has been serving as Assistant General Secretary in the soon expiring regime and believes that he is the right man to replace Philip Wafula.
UHA List of Candidates for Elective AGM
Chairperson:
1. Lydia Gloria Dhamuzungu
2. Philip Wafula Mulindo
Vice Chairperson:
1. Joshua Opolot
2. Fatumah Namubiru
3. Michael Nashimolo
General Secretary:
1. Joseph Kamin
2. Stanley Tamale
Treasurer:
1. Kenneth Tamale
2. Gerald Aquino Ssesaazi
Organizing Secretary:
1. Richard Ssemwogerere
2. Daniel Kyaligonza
Publicity Secretary:
1. Saddam Hussein
2. Moses Tushabe
Committee Members:
1. Innocent Raskara
2. Martin Okello
3. Bridget Baine