Former Uganda Cranes player Mike Mutyaba has responded to FUFA following his summoning over match-fixing.
The Investigatory Chamber of the FUFA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee has provided an update on the ongoing investigations into the alleged manipulation of the Uganda Premier League match between Kitara FC and Express FC played on 21st December, 2024.
FUFA received a FIFA betting report indicating the game was fixed for betting purposes, with prior knowledge that Express FC would lose and concede at least five goals. Preliminary findings show Mutyaba Mike coordinated the match-fixing with Katende Ivan, a known figure in FUFA’s match-fixing investigations.
The three – Mutyaba, Katende, and Express FC CEO Miiro Ashraf conspired to manipulate the match.
While appearing on NBS Sport, Mutyaba has asked FUFA to back up it’s allegations with proof.
“Let FUFA present clear evidence if they claim I was involved in match-fixing,” Mutyaba aid before adding.
“You summoned me to come to FUFA, was it so I could be beaten again, like the last time I went there?”
“Bringing up match-fixing allegations against others is just a smokescreen. In the end, it’s clear that I’m the one they’re really targeting.”
“During the Kitara vs Express game, I wasn’t even licensed to be on the bench, just like in the match against Vipers, when Jean Sseninde ordered me to leave the bench. So how could I have been involved in match-fixing?” he added.
The preliminary investigations have so far indicated the involvement of players goalkeeper Kalyowa Emmanuel and Mbazira Ashraf who were recruited by Mutyaba to execute the fix on the field of play. Mutyaba assumed technical matters on match day, taking advantage of head coach Kaddu Badru’s absence.
FUFA has engaged the Criminal Investigations Directorate and the process is ongoing. To safeguard the game’s integrity, the Investigatory Chamber has provisionally suspended Mike Mutyaba, Ashraf Miiro, goalkeeper Kalyowa Emmanuel, Mbazira Ashraf and Katende Ivan from all football related activities pending disciplinary proceedings.
FUFA warns stakeholders to avoid associating with the persons in the list released to avoid being trapped in corrupting players, coaches and officials to fix matches.
