East African Business Week

KAMPALA, UGANDA - Despite the accusations and counter accusations that characterized the build up to Uganda's first televised league, the Bell Super League finally kicked off last Friday.
The day did not pass without incident though as some teams, reportedly under the instructions of the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) failed to honor their fixtures fearing that the local governing body would ban them from participating in any other tournament.
The Uganda Super League and FUFA have been in loggerheads for much of the off season and the Federation allegedly sent out messages over local radios informing the public that the league wouldn't kick off.
 According to Mr. Kavuma Kabenge, the Uganda Super League (USL) Chairman, FUFA can only oversee the activities of the Bell Super League but cannot directly get involved in the day to day running of the league.
"What do you think the main reason is?" he asked. "Of course it is all about the money, someone wanted us to give 30 per cent of all the money that comes into the USL to the Federation. But the law is clear, FUFA does not get any share in this money", Kabenge said.
He also added that this time, players will take over 80 per cent of the money unlike in the past when they would only get 16 per cent.
During the games, fans who had spared their time to go to the Stadium to watch the game got angry when one team that had already showed refused to honor their fixture and instead opted to sit on the stands. The irate fans pounced on the players and sent them on their heels out of the Stadium.
However, there was a positive to the evening as fans were treated to some high octane football at the Mandela National Stadium between league champions Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) and Express FC (friend of many). Though the game ended in a 1-1 draw, fans were happy that the long awaited Bell Super League had finally kicked off and was broadcast to the rest of the continent on SuperSport.
Mr. Fred Muwema, one of the USL Directors said he was happy with the first day of the Bell Super League.
He said, "We can now clearly see who the friends of football are the enemies. Today football has won, the fans have also won and we are delighted that the sponsors have indicated to us that they are with us to the end."