THE CONTROVERSIAL ‘TAKE, OVER’ OF ONDUPARAKA FC PLAYGROUND BY AYIVU DIVISION COUNCIL

By Sabir Musa

On Friday 23rd June 2023, Ayivu Division Town Clerk, Emmanuel Angudubo declared takeover of Onduparaka Football Club official playground known as Ababet Green Light Stadium.

In his letter addressed to Onduparaka FC Chief Executive Officer, he revealed that this decision arises out of challenges the club is facing in managing the playground, noting that all stakeholders interested in conducting activities on the playground shall seek permission from his office.

The Public Relations Officer of Onduparaka Football Club, Godfrey Drabe is not moved by the directive given stating that the club has binding agreement with Madi and West Nile Diocese, before the city became operational in 2020. “Ayivu Division did not know that we have Memorandum of Understanding with Madi and West Nile Diocese which is under Church of Uganda; that school (Onduparaka Primary School) belongs to the church and the land belongs to Madi and West Nile Diocese, they are the trustees of the school” PRO reveals.

Although Madi and West Nile Diocese is indicated among stakeholders to receive copy of this letter from Division Town Clerk, they are yet to get an official communication. According to Diocesan Secretary, Nasser Godfrey, decision of the Town Clerk is contrary to their agreement with Onduparaka Football Club as official communication will be issued in regard. “We went into Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with leadership of Onduparaka Football Club and that relationship has been established with them in-spite of the challenges of management, the decision of the Town Clerk took is contrary to what we would think. I believe if there is a challenge, he should have first talked to owner of the property” he clarifies.

By press time, Ayivu Division Town Clerk, Emmanuel Angudubo was not available for a comment, but the Deputy Speaker of Arua City Council, Tabu Fred advices the two parties to consider dialogue in addressing this matter. “It has been entirely the football club that has been managing and giving access to this facility. We expect the two parties to come and sit so that they can solve this issue amicably” the Speaker reasons.

On the same day this letter was addressed, an event organized by Arua City Woman MP, Maureen Osoru to handover sewing machines was hosted on the playground, this according to management of the club was forceful and without their consent after organizing committee failed to pay 4,000,000 shillings meant to maintain the facility. They have since written to the council about damages caused on fence and ground.

COVER PHOTO: Onduparaka FC fans watching a home game when the club hosted Bul FC at Green Light Stadium.  File Photo from Radio Pacis