FUFA Extends Match-Fixing Bans for Four as Investigations Continue

The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) Ethics and Disciplinary Committee has extended the provisional suspension of four football personalities by an additional 45 days as investigations into alleged match manipulation continue. The affected individuals are Mike Mutyaba, Ashraf Miiro, Emmanuel Kalyowa, and Ashraf Mbazira.

According to FUFA, the extension takes effect on June 13, 2026, and was issued under Article 78(3) of the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Code, which allows the committee to prolong provisional sanctions when investigations are still ongoing. FUFA says the extension is intended to give investigators more time to complete inquiries into allegations of match manipulation involving the Uganda Premier League match between Kitara FC and Express FC played on December 21, 2024.

Ahmed Hussein, FUFA’s Director of Communications, said the federation remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of football and ensuring that all allegations of match-fixing are thoroughly investigated. He explains that FUFA maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards match-fixing and any form of manipulation of football matches.

He explained that the extension of the provisional bans is aimed at allowing the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee sufficient time to establish all the facts surrounding the matter before reaching a final decision.

He added that football stakeholders have a collective responsibility to protect the credibility of the game by reporting suspicious activities and supporting efforts aimed at preserving fair competition.

According to Hussein, the integrity of football is non-negotiable, and all players, officials, clubs, and fans should continue supporting FUFA’s anti-match-fixing campaign by recognizing, rejecting, and reporting suspected cases of match manipulation. “The four individuals have already been formally notified of the committee’s decision and will remain barred from participating in all football-related activities during the extended suspension period,” he said.

The latest development comes amid intensified efforts by FUFA to combat match-fixing and corruption in Ugandan football. Earlier this week, the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee sanctioned five individuals after finding them guilty of match manipulation in connection with a Uganda Premier League match between Lugazi FC and Buhimba United Saints FC played on November 8, 2025.

Those sanctioned included Buhimba United Saints FC players Fred Nkata and Moses Ayebale, who were each handed five-year bans, while their teammate Ramadhan Dudu received a two-year suspension. The club’s Technical Director, James Kalumba, was also suspended for five years. Former footballer Ali Feni received a lifetime ban after investigators found that he coordinated match-fixing activities in several matches, including the Lugazi FC versus Buhimba United Saints FC fixture, by acting as an intermediary between players and match-fixers.

Speaking to Uganda Radio Network following the sanctions, Hussein described match-fixing as one of the biggest threats facing football globally and warned that FUFA would continue taking firm action against anyone found attempting to manipulate match results for personal gain. Hussein says the campaign against match-fixing has also received international backing. On April 1, 2026, FIFA extended a sanction imposed on Ugandan footballer Ashraf Mbazira to the global level following a ruling by the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee issued on March 12, 2026.

FIFA said the punishment was enforced worldwide under Article 70 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, allowing disciplinary measures imposed by national football associations to apply across all FIFA member associations. Football authorities regard match-fixing as one of the gravest violations of sporting ethics because it undermines fair competition, erodes public confidence, and damages the credibility of the game. FUFA has urged players, officials, and fans to remain vigilant and support efforts aimed at protecting the integrity of football in Uganda-URN.

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