A sports event in Kapchorwa District, themed: “Fight Against Gender-Based Violence and Abuse in Sports,” was abruptly canceled amid allegations of bribery.
The event, a one-mile marathon scheduled for January 28, 2024, was being organised by Sebei Nation, among other non-governmental organisations, with its CEO Cherop Mark Cherirei as one of the key figures.
According to Mr Cherop, the district sports officer, Mr Musua Alfred Tunde, allegedly demanded a bribe to grant approval for the event.
Organisers’ claims
Mr Cherop detailed how the organising team initially sought to hold the race at Teryet High Altitude grounds. He claimed that Mr Tunde demanded a bribe, threatening that the event would not proceed without payment.
“I met an athletics coach who hinted that I needed to pay something for the event to succeed. When I refused to pay, I faced obstacles at every step, including being denied access to Teryet High Altitude grounds,’’ Mr Cherop explained.
Subsequently, the organizers sought clearance from local authorities, including Kapchorwa Municipality Mayor, Andrew Timothy Mangusho, who authorised the use of Kapchorwa Boma Grounds on December 19, 2024.
Despite assurances of cooperation, Mr Cherop alleged that efforts were made to sabotage the event.
A meeting convened by the District Police Commander (DPC) resulted in a letter from Mr Tunde advising against the marathon, citing the need for clearance from the National Council of Sports (NCS) and the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF).
Content of Tunde’s Letter
The letter stated: “Whereas the activity has the best intentions for our community and in sports growth and development, I note that games and sports activities are under the flagship of the National Council of Sports and Uganda Athletics Federation. I, therefore, request that the activity is stayed until such clearance is made.”
Mr Cherop further claims the letter was delayed intentionally until December 27, 2024, the day before the marathon. He further alleged that athletes were intimidated with threats of bans if they participated.
Prize Details and Fallout
The marathon offered attractive prizes, including UGX 1 million for winners in the senior men’s and women’s categories. However, the controversy has cast a shadow over the event.
Audio recordings reportedly captured conversations implicating the DPC and Mr Tunde in efforts to obstruct the race. By the time of this report, Mr Tunde had not issued an official response to the allegations.
This incident has sparked discussions about governance and accountability in Uganda’s sports administration. Organizers and community members are calling for investigations to ensure transparency in the management of sports events.
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