Rally Drivers Challenge FMU over Annual entitlement from government
Denis Musanje
Rally Drivers in Uganda are challenging the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) over government funding.
Last year, the Inspectorate of Government ordered the freezing of all federation accounts due to governance issues.
Last year, former rally driver, Geoffrey Nsamba accused the Motorsport body over what he called funds mismanagement by the executive as well as blocking him from standing for presidency.
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Drivers claim they are entitled to have a share of the Shs3bn that FMU receives from government but the body insists all the money is for administrative purposes yet they have failed to produce the real accountability.
While appearing on Nbs Sport on Monday, Rally Driver Nasser Mutebi asserted how FMU has not supported them during various events yet they are the biggest stakeholders in the sport.
“We, the drivers and riders, are the biggest stakeholders in motorsport. Without us, there is no motorsport.
We thought things would get better with government funding, but it’s disheartening to note that nothing has changed.”
Said Mutebi before adding,
“During the Pearl of Africa Rally, FMU promised us fuel from Shell. I can swear to you, we did not get fuel. Instead we were conned out of 200 dollars by FMU. With due respect, not even a bottle of mineral water was given to the drivers.” The FMU President Jimmy Akena might not know these things, but it’s even rare to get food on race days.”
Akena who took over as the Federation President from Dipu Ruparelia in May last revealed that freezing of FMU accounts affected the running of the Federation.
“There is no money in the accounts. The issue is that our accounts are closed. We can’t receive any money at the moment.” In 3 quarters of the year, we have gotten only a quarter of one quarter in funding from the government.”
“We have been fighting against the odds. Now our accounts are blocked including the accounts that have zero shilling of government money.” Said Akena
Akena however asserts that his primary task is to make sure the Motorsport body aligns with the new law not fights.