National referee Emmanuel Kiweewa risks life ban from refereeing after a leaked phone voice while allegedly soliciting for a bribe. In a recorded telephone conversation, Kiweewa asked Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) head coach Noah Mugerwa for Shs1m ahead of their return leg against a St Lawrence university (SLAU) in the Pepsi University Football League semi-final match on October 18, 2019 in Nkozi.
The tie ended 1-1, a result that tied the game 2-2 on aggregate before SLAU won 3-2 on penalties to advance to the final UFL final for the first time in their history where they face fellow first finalists Uganda Christian University (UCU).
In the audio, Kiweewa is heard telling Mugerwa how it would be important if they (UMU) qualified for this final much as St Lawrence officials were also in need of his services. “Tell the manager to finalise. Let them get like Shs1m then leave the rest to us because they need to get to the final. You have invested a lot and you wouldn’t want to get here only to fail to make the final yet we can do that for you. For your information, everyone is scared of me because they know if I come to officiate your game, I mean business,” he allegedly says in the audio.
FUFA Referee’s Standing Committee later on Tuesday, October 22nd, released a statement suspending Kiweewa indefinitely on the subject. According to sources, referees are not happy with FUFA over delayed payments and are no longer minding about the quality of their output.
“The match officials have long standing arrears and some of the referees are struggling. Even FIFA badge holders are not happy with FUFA and this is partly why match fixing reports are rampant,” noted a source –who is a senior international referee.
The referees’ remuneration is chopped off the StarTimes deal directly by FUFA and the referees wonder why this money delays to reach their accounts yet they continue to work.
“What is surprising is that StarTimes has never missed payment of referees as par the schedule but our money somehow delays at Fufa and I think someone first uses it for private business as we suffer,” added the source.
Kiweewa has been at the centre of a number controversial decision, in the different football competitions, ranging from the Uganda Premier League, Masaza Cup, UFL even in Futsal competitions. But he has also been a highly rated upcoming referee who was in line to get a FIFA badge.
Kiweewa handled the StarTimes Uganda premier league season opener at Namboole as Kyetume beat 16-time record champions SC Villa 1-0. He was in the center as Bright stars’ goal was controversially disallowed as they drew 1-1 with KCCA in Lugogo.
