Netball Federation Sues National Council of Sports General Secretary

By Emma Amooti

The Uganda netball federation (UNF) executive headed by Hon Sarah Babirye Kityo is the body which is responsible for administrating netball sport in Uganda has sued National Council of Sports (NCS).
Uganda netball federation executive accuses the National council of sports general secretary of interfering of the Netball activities with aim of withdrawing or cancellation of the Uganda netball federation certificate of recognition.

**UNF President Hon Sarah Babirye Kityo**

We all understand that sports has done good in promoting the image of Uganda world over and among the sporting discipline that you can’t push away is Netball, But since the current UNF leadership headed by Hon Sarah Babirye Kityo came into office, her first aim was to make sure is number one netball playing nation on african continent and among the first-five in the world, to promote the Netball brand, promote transparency and to see that she brings on sponsors on board and in her one and half year in office weighing her achievement at 100 per cent she is at 90 percent and that alone can be seen by the stakeholders.
But as you know where there is success and transparency not everyone loves to see it and the only way they can do it is to create ways to disorganize but still she is still beating them in there game.
One will ask, why all this is happening as redpepper who have been covering the sport you need to understand that it all started when UNF president disclosed to the nation how National council of sports (NCS) wanted her to account funds UGX 425M yet she officially received UGX 186M forcing her to wonder why NCS was forcing her to account for money she did not receive.

This forced Inspectorate of Government (IGG) to follow and investigate the matter to its conclusion and in its findings, the Uganda netball federation president was found innocent and her name was cleared both IGG and Attorney general but in the report that was released IGG directed NCS General secretary to refund UGX 100M and deposit it on Assets recovery account within seven days in the month of April 2023.
Last week, NCS through its Assistant general secretary incharge administration wrote to UNF Executive wanting to withdraw certificate of recognition and according to the new Sports Bill, which was signed to by the president of Uganda it very clear on what you have to follow if you are to withdraw a certificate of recognition and NCS knows it well.
According to the documents seen by redpepper from Luzige, Lubega, Kavuma & Co Advocates dated October 23rd 2023, Ref LLK/SAS/GEN/2023 and National council of sports shows acknowledgement received.
The Uganda netball federation executive and Ms Babirye Sarah Kityo the duly elected president has filed a Civil Suit No 440 of 2023 in Civil Division of the High Court against National council of sports (NCS) General secretary challenging his continued udue interference in the lawful activities affairs and functions of the Uganda netball federation, its president and Executive Committee.
In the said court case, UNF executive is questioning NCS continued raising of false accountability claims and allegations of Misappropriation of the UNF funds which claims have been found by the Inspectorate of Government to be Orchestrated by General secretary of National council of sports. Yet it is well within their knowledge that Uganda netball federation was cleared by Inspectorate of Government, Auditor General and Attorney general from all NCS false allegations and accountability claims.
On the grounds for which NCS intend to discuss and withdraw the UNF certificate of recognition are same questions to be determined by the high court in civil suit No 440 of 2023, The sub judice principle of law bars NCS from discussing and/or deliberating on matters that are before a court of Judicature.
Meanwhile, NCS has been requested and demanded to halt the said meeting /hearing and their intended withdrawal of the UNF certificate of recognition pending the determination of the civil suit No 440 of 2023.