Platinum Credit Heathens lock Charles Uhuru will not be available for his side for the remainder of the 2023 Rugby Premier League after he was suspended by the Uganda Rugby Union Disciplinary Committee.
Uhuru, also Rugby Cranes Vice Captain was involved in dangerous play during his side’s league win over Kobs on 28th January at Legends Grounds in Kampala. During the televised game, Uhuru was filmed fouling Kobs’ Adrian Kasito in what was a career threatening incident.
Following the incident, Uhuru appeared before the union’s disciplinary committee and the resolution is to suspend him for 15 weeks. With four games played so far in the 18-round league, Uhuru will sit out for the rest of the campaign.
“Reference is made to judicial hearing that was held on 2nd February 2023 in which Mr. Charles Uhuru, a player with Platinum Credit Heathens appeared with regard of acts of foul play that were attributed to him during the Nile Special Rugby Premier League held on 28th January in Lugogo between Kobs and Heathens.”
“The Disciplinary Committee referred to World Rugby regulation 17, appendix 1 for guidance and has resolved to suspend Mr. Uhuru for fifteen (15) weeks from taking part in any union sanctioned rugby activity,” URU missive released on Monday, 6th February read.
The suspension started on February 3rd and will end on 19th May 2023.
Still on discipline, Stanbic Black Pirates player Charles Alul has been suspended for two weeks following an act of foul play attributed to him on 28th January as his side played Jinja Hippos at Dam Waters.
Meanwhile, a suspended sanction for Jinja Hippos to play their next game behind closed doors has been issued by URU. The club has been urged to observe safety measures in their next home game or else the penalty will be effected.
This comes after a Jinja Hippos fan (identified as Timothy Kitamirike) tried to strike a Stanbic Black Pirates player Desire Ayera during the last minutes of a league game between the two teams on 28th January. The fan reacted following an incident between Ayera and Jinja Hippos player Gracious Makita.
Hippos have been cautioned because they were quick to identify and suspend the fan for the entire season but the union wants full safety going forward.
URU has further suspended Kitamirike (the Hippos fan) from attending any rugby game or union activity until January 1st 2024.
Going forward, fans have been urged to press for core values of the game, that is; integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect.
