It has become common saying that there is a lot of money in sports however the participants such as the players, club owners and the referees have continued suffered, though the top officials pay checks continue to swell.

The concern has reached the floor of parliament as raised by MP of Makindye west Allan Ssewanyana, who also disclosed that the Uganda cranes/national team players are planning a striker because up to now they have not received the  money they were promised while in the AFCON 2019.

Worse still, the football national league referees have not received a single penny after the 21 games since the season began.

The Ugandan referees are paid UGX 150000 per match and the pay goes up to UGX 250000 in upcountry games. However, this is way too little compared the European leagues where referees earn up to UGX 5m per match and in addition UGX 200m per month.

When FUFA was issuing FIFA badges to the referees this year, they admitted that the referees have not received their wages. Meanwhile, this puts referees in a position of compromise and prone great temptation of receiving bribe from club officials. In the same context, at least ten clubs have complained over compromised games during this season.

After winning the Uganda cup last year, Proline FC was supposed to be awarded UGX 40m, however, the club has not received the money up to now, and it is alleged that the sponsors released the money but the FUFA officials have decided not to render it to the winner. As a result many MPs are distressed over the issues. All our efforts to get FUFA’s comment were futile.