Sports
Ugandan Referees Work Without Pay as Football Season Ends
Referees in the Uganda Premier League have gone the whole season without being paid. As the football season comes to an end, this news has caused a lot of concern. The story was first reported by SportsNation, who spoke with some of the referees.
The referees say they have not received any money for working at matches during the 2024/25 season. Even though they have been traveling, spending time away from their families, and making sure the games are fair, they have not seen a single payment.
This is a big problem—not just for the referees, but for Ugandan football as a whole.
Referees Are Important, But Forgotten
Referees are very important in football because they make sure the game is fair. They blow the whistle, give yellow and red cards, and stop fights on the field. They help keep the match safe and under control. Without referees, the game would be messy and unfair.
But in Uganda, it seems like referees are being forgotten.
According to SportsNation, referees in the Uganda Premier League have not received any payments for their officiating duties throughout the 2024/25 season. Several officials have reportedly had to cover their own transport, meals, and other personal expenses in order to fulfill matchday assignments.
One referee told SportsNation, “We are doing our best to help the game, but no one is helping us. It’s really hard.”
New Rule Made Things Worse
As if not getting paid wasn’t bad enough, the referees were also told they had to buy their own uniforms before the season started. In September 2023, FUFA (the football group that runs the sport in Uganda) said all referees had to buy a full kit.
The kit included a shirt, shorts, socks, whistle, and cards. It cost 100,000 Ugandan shillings (around $26 USD), and they had to buy it from a company called JANZI.
For many referees, this was a big problem. They already weren’t being paid, and now they were being told to spend more money—just to keep working. Some even said the kits were poor quality and didn’t last long.
“We are not even getting paid,” one referee said. “Why do we have to spend our own money to buy these things?”
Others asked why they were only allowed to buy from one supplier and said they should have a choice.
Money Problems Could Affect the Game
When referees don’t get paid, it can cause big problems for football. Some people are scared that referees might take money from fans, teams, or gamblers. If a referee has no money, they might agree and make bad or unfair calls in the game.
This is called match-fixing, and it’s a very bad and serious thing in sports.
If referees don’t feel supported or respected, they might not want to do the job anymore. They could stop doing it well or stop coming to matches at all.
This could make matches unfair, dangerous, or not enjoyable to watch. Fans could lose trust in the league, and football in Uganda could lose its good name.
Referees Speak Out
Referees have started speaking out about how they are treated. Many say they love football and want to help the sport grow. But they also need to earn a living and take care of their families.
“Being a referee is not easy,” one official said. “We are out there in the sun, running for 90 minutes, dealing with angry fans and players. We take a lot of abuse. And then we go home with nothing.”
Some referees are thinking about quitting. Others say they might not come back next season if things don’t change.
“If FUFA doesn’t do something soon, they will lose a lot of good referees,” one person warned.
Clubs and Fans Are Also Worried
This issue has upset more than just the referees. Some football clubs and fans are also speaking up. They say referees deserve to be treated better and should be paid on time.
“Referees are part of the football family,” said a club coach. “You can’t just forget about them.”
Some fans also said that if referees are not treated fairly, the league could suffer. “No one will trust the results if they think the referees are unhappy or being pressured,” one fan wrote online.
What Should Be Fixed?
A lot of people think FUFA should solve this problem quickly. They want referees to get the money they’ve already worked for and to be paid on time from now on.
They also want clearer communication. Some referees said they don’t even know why they haven’t been paid. FUFA hasn’t told them what’s going on or given any updates.
There are also calls for FUFA to help cover the cost of referee kits or at least offer choices on where to buy them.
Paying referees fairly and treating them with respect is important.
A Wake-Up Call for Ugandan Football
This is a clear warning to everyone in Ugandan football. It shows that the people who keep the game going need better care and support.
Referees are very important in football. Without them the game can’t happen. They should be respected, helped and paid fairly for what they do.
Let’s hope the people in charge listen and make things better before it’s too late.
This report is based on original reporting by SportsNation, who spoke with referees and brought this important issue to light.
The Super Bowl is far more than a football game. Each year, it becomes a global cultural moment, where sport, music, and social conversation collide. Super Bowl LX promises to be no exception. While fans anticipate the on-field clash between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, much of the world’s attention has shifted to the halftime stage airing on both ESPN and ESPN2 (DStv Channel 219), where three-time Grammy winner Bad Bunny will make history.
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By Modupe Gbadeyanka
One of the leading financial services groups in Africa, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc, is championing great experiences and heritage by being the main sponsor of NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament.
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The NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament has long been celebrated not only for its thrilling competition and equestrian excellence but also for its rich heritage and cultural resonance within Africa’s sporting tradition. GTCO’s sponsorship embodies the Group’s commitment to creating platforms that unite communities and drive social impact across diverse audiences.
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