Through a connection with Katende Ivan, a known figure in previous FUFA match-fixing investigations, Mutyaba allegedly conspired with the Express FC CEO, Ashraf Miiro, to ensure that the game would go in a specific direction.
In what has quickly become one of the most high-profile scandals in Ugandan football, five individuals have been provisionally suspended for their alleged involvement in match manipulation during the controversial December 21, 2024, fixture between Kitara FC and Express FC.
The scandal, which has shocked fans and football officials alike, revolves around allegations of match-fixing for betting purposes, casting a dark shadow over the sport’s integrity in Uganda.
It all started with a report from FIFA, sent to the Uganda Football Association (FUFA), which flagged the game following suspicious betting activity. The report suggested that the match had been fixed in favor of a predetermined outcome: Express FC would lose and concede at least five goals.
This would seem like an unthinkable result in any professional match, yet the evidence points toward a carefully orchestrated plan, one that saw key figures within Express FC and beyond working in tandem to manipulate the match’s outcome.
At the center of the controversy is Mike Mutyaba, a former football player with significant influence in Ugandan football circles. Mutyaba, who was present at the match and assumed control over technical matters in the absence of Express FC’s head coach Kaddu Badru, is said to have been the mastermind behind the operation.
Through a connection with Katende Ivan, a known figure in previous FUFA match-fixing investigations, Mutyaba allegedly conspired with the Express FC CEO, Ashraf Miiro, to ensure that the game would go in a specific direction.
The plot thickens with the involvement of Kalyowa Emmanuel, the Express FC goalkeeper, and Mbazira Ashraf, a fellow player. Both are said to have been recruited by Mutyaba to execute the match-fixing plan on the field, with Kalyowa playing a key role in ensuring that Express FC’s defense was unusually porous, resulting in the dramatic defeat.
The conspiracy allegedly didn’t stop at the pitch. Evidence gathered by FUFA suggests that Katende, the key figure in the betting scheme, was linked to several Ugandan betting accounts that saw significant profits from the outcome of the game.
These accounts reportedly cashed in millions of shillings through a Tanzanian-based betting company, which later blocked the payout after detecting fraudulent activity.
As the investigation into the match-fixing conspiracy deepens, FUFA has now formally engaged with the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), hoping to uncover the full scope of the corruption.
The suspensions of Mutyaba, Miiro, Kalyowa, Mbazira, and Katende serve as a warning to the football community that FUFA will take a hard stance on match-fixing and betting manipulation.
The case has raised questions about the level of oversight in Uganda’s football scene, and the integrity of matches has now come into sharper focus. As the investigation continues, the fate of the implicated individuals hangs in the balance, and the future of football in Uganda will depend heavily on the outcome of this probe.
FUFA remains resolute in its commitment to protecting the integrity of the game, urging the public to report any suspicious activity related to match-fixing or corruption through its confidential reporting platforms. The football community and fans alike are watching closely, hoping that this scandal serves as a turning point in the fight against corruption in the sport.
This investigation not only reveals the darker side of betting in football but also underscores the need for stronger measures and transparency to safeguard the future of Ugandan football.