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The president, vice president, and treasurer of the Uganda Netball Federation have been handed over to the Parliament Police Criminal Investigation Department for professional misconduct related to the expenditure of the Sh100 million ($27,000) allocated for the International Male Netball Championship in South Africa during the Financial Year 2021–2022. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) found accountability issues in the expenditure of the funds that had a negative impact on the facilitation of the netball players. The officials are accused of using a significant portion of the funds for personal use instead of the intended activity. The UNF president denies all accusations

The Sh100 million that the Uganda Netball Federation (UNF) was allotted for the International Male Netball Championship in South Africa during the Financial Year 2021–2022 has shown the professional misconduct of the federation’s top officials.

The money in issue was given to the netball federation in 2021 by the National Council of Sports to aid in the Rock, Uganda’s men’s netball team, in getting ready to compete in the tournament, which was held in Pretoria, South Africa, in September 2021.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) (Central Government), which is currently looking into the issue brought up by the Auditor General, has noticed accountability issues in the expenditure of the funds that had a negative impact on the facilitation of the netball players in terms of allowances, meals, lodging, and other expenses.

As a result, on May 11, 2023, Sarah Kityo, the president of the UNF, Richard Muhumuza, the vice president, and Aidah Nambusi, the treasurer, were turned over to the Parliament Police Criminal Investigation Department for further management.

This is because when the officials testified before the committee, they neglected to properly account for the monies and instead blamed their president for allegedly using a significant portion of the funds for her personal use instead of the intended activity.

Nambusi explained to the committee how, the night before the players were scheduled to go to South Africa, she withdrew Sh98 million of the Sh100 million received and delivered it to Kityo in her office in front of other members of the executive committee for allocation as per the planned budget.

However, to her shock, Kityo ordered her to leave her office claiming that her services were no longer needed since she was not part of the team travelling to South Africa.

“Out of the Shs98 million, she told me to pay Shs11 million to Beyond the Sky Travel Company for five air tickets and another Shs1.7 million to Mando Shoes and Clothing Centre. The rest of the money [Shs85.3 million], she told me to hand over all the money and leave the office,” Nambusi said.

Nambusi added that Kityo received the money without signing on any voucher claiming, “she was time-barred, and that accountability would be done when they return from the trip.”

“Even when I later returned to ask her about the documents and information of how the money was spent so that I could account for it, she [Kityo] told me not to bother because she has an accountant who will do the accountability. I was left useless and since then, I have never done any accountability at UNF,” she said.

Both UNF Publicity Secretary Yahaya Sengabi and UNF Secretary Aminah Mande, who were present when Kityo got the money, verified that the latter did indeed receive it and handled it alone without assistance from the committee.

“It is true that when the treasurer asked the president to sign the voucher, she barked at her and reminded her that she is the president of the federation. She got Shs25 million out of the Shs85.3 million and put it aside. She removed another Shs5 million which she said was for paying for the sports kits. When I reminded her that we needed to distribute the money according to the needs, she reminded me how I am a public relations officer,” Sengabi said.

Vice President Muhumuza stated that Kityo would give him Sh15 million from the remaining funds to transfer to NCS General Secretary, Dr. Bernard Patrick Ogwel, who had provided them money to obtain player visas. She also gave him an additional Sh40.3 million, which he would spend to help the South African netball squad.

“You realize that the budget of Shs72 million which we had prepared was not followed. I had to work within the available Shs40.3 million which she gave me. This affected the meals and even players’ allowances,” Muhumuza said.

Kityo refuted all the accusations, claiming that she was not in charge of keeping track of the money allocated for the South African netball squad. “I designated Muhumuza as the official in charge of overseeing the trip’s finances throughout South Africa. Additionally, with relation to the Shs100 million, I did not authorize any payments, she added.

She also denied ever apologizing to NCS for the funds, despite the committee displaying the purportedly her-written responsibility letter to her.

Hon. Basalirwa pressed Kityo further about whether she had received any money from the Sh100 million in the form of allowances, and Kityo firmly replied, “I do not remember at all getting any money.”