By URN
Federation of Uganda’s Football Associations- FUFA has granted permission to Arua Hill and Ndejje FC players to seek opportunities with other clubs following the financial challenges faced by their respective teams.
The FUFA Executive Committee in a statement said it is duty-bound to protect the integrity of its Members and their players because the players earn a living from playing football.
It ruled that all players of Ndejje University FC are free agents with immediate effect and are free to join a club of their choice.
It further declared that players from Arua Hill SC without existing contracts are at liberty to join any club they prefer. Additionally, players from Arua Hill SC whose contracts have been mutually terminated are also free to pursue opportunities with other clubs.
For those still under contract with Arua Hill SC, FUFA has allowed them to join another club on loan for the remainder of the 2023/24 season. FUFA has set a transfer window period from March 1st to March 15th, 2024, for players from Ndejje University FC and Arua Hill SC to finalize transfers to their preferred clubs.
The embattled clubs faced several financial setbacks earlier this year that ultimately jeopardized their existence in the respective leagues where they were competing.
In January this year, the FUFA Club Licensing Committee withdrew the License of the then Uganda Premier League side Arua Hill SC for allegedly failing to meet the club licensing regulations.
The decision was made when the second Round of Fixtures of the StarTimes–Uganda Premier League for 2023/24. The Uganda Premier League Secretariat said the omission of the club from the second-round fixtures came after the FUFA Club Licensing Committee pending a petition by the club.
Trouble for Arua Hill SC started mid-last year after the former club president, Eng. Joel Jaffer Aita lost interest in further investing in the club and sold it due to a lack of returns on investment which forced several players including the former club captain Gaddafi Wahab to join other clubs.
In the same development, Ndejje University FC announced on January 15, 2024, that they had resolved to dissolve their football club, which competed in the Big League, the country’s second-tier football competition. The decision stemmed from financial constraints, lack of return on investments, and the recent passing of club coach Raymond Komakech.
These developments left players from both clubs without a team, with uncertainty looming over their future, especially those with existing contracts.
