Uganda Today: Graft Spotlight Shines on Speaker Among and Husband Magogo Over CHAN Uganda Cranes Team Accommodation Scandal
Kampala – www.ugandatoday.co.ug
Contact ugandatodayedition@gmail.com | 17 August 2025
In what is fast snowballing into yet another high-profile graft scandal, Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among and her husband Moses Magogo—President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA)—have come under intense public scrutiny following revelations that the Uganda Cranes CHAN squad was lodged in a substandard facility in Kisaasi, a dusty Kampala suburb, far below international standards set by FIFA.
According to whistleblower footage seen by Uganda Today and corroborated by team insiders, the national team was accommodated in a modest, poorly maintained hotel whose conditions failed to meet even basic comfort levels, let alone the stringent requirements of FIFA, which mandate participating teams in international competitions be hosted in 5-star rated hotels.
The revelation has sparked outrage across sports and governance circles, with critics questioning how such an arrangement could be approved—especially given Uganda’s substantial budget allocations to sports and infrastructure in the past three financial years.
Magogo’s Shadowy Dealings Once Again?
Moses Magogo, no stranger to controversy, is alleged to have personally sanctioned the hotel’s selection through a private arrangement—one reportedly backed and protected by his spouse, the Speaker of Parliament. This collusion, observers say, smacks of abuse of office, influence peddling, and blatant disregard for the athletes’ welfare.
A source within FUFA, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted:
“There were several better options available. But the directives came from the top. Players were shocked to find themselves housed in such a dusty, ill-equipped facility—clearly unfit for an international tournament.”
Violation of FIFA Protocols
FIFA’s established guidelines under the Tournament Accommodation Compliance Policy require that host federations secure and maintain quality lodging for national teams—particularly in tournaments like CHAN, which brings together domestic league players from across Africa.
This latest scandal, therefore, is not just a national embarrassment but could also trigger punitive action from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) or even FIFA itself.
A Pattern of Impunity?
Both Anita Among and Moses Magogo have previously been cited in controversial procurement and public accountability scandals. In 2023, Magogo was reprimanded by FIFA for reselling 2014 World Cup tickets—a case that cast a long shadow over his integrity as FUFA boss.
Now, with Among—arguably one of the most powerful political figures in Uganda—entangled in what appears to be a nepotistic enrichment scheme, governance watchdogs are calling for immediate investigations by the Inspectorate of Government and the Auditor General’s office.
Civil society voices are growing louder.
“We cannot continue tolerating this marriage of politics and sports corruption,” said a statement issued Friday by the Coalition for Transparency in Public Spending (CTPS).
“The Speaker must step aside if her leadership is to maintain any credibility, and Magogo should face disciplinary proceedings from both FUFA and Parliament’s Ethics Committee.”
Public Outrage
On social media, the video of the facility—shared widely under the hashtag #CHANScandalUG—has sparked fury among Ugandans, especially fans who had placed hope in the team’s performance. Many blamed the Cranes’ poor showing on the psychological impact of being subjected to such deplorable lodging conditions.
Demands for Accountability
Parliamentarians, including some from Among’s own ruling NRM party, have reportedly demanded an emergency sitting to discuss the matter. Opposition leaders, meanwhile, are pushing for a full-scale public inquiry.
“We owe it to our players and the nation to get to the bottom of this rot,” said Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi of the Opposition.
As the scandal unfolds, both the Speaker and her husband remain silent. But with growing public pressure and international interest, silence may not be an option for much longer.
Story developing…
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