Fred Mugerwa, the Head Coach of the She Cranes, the national netball team of Uganda, has expressed his intention to step down from his position due to non-payment of salary.
Mugerwa revealed that over the past two years, he has only received a mere Shs500,000, which was provided during the team’s trip to Namibia.
The She Cranes returned home triumphantly after securing the best-ever finish (fifth) at the World Cup competition. Uganda is also the number one netball nation in Africa.
However, the celebratory atmosphere was overshadowed by Mugerwa’s frustration with the Uganda Netball Federation (UNF) for failing to pay his monthly salary.
Addressing the issue during a state dinner hosted at the Kampala Serena Hotel, Mugerwa voiced his dissatisfaction with the biased treatment from the federation despite his efforts and dedication.
Mugerwa highlighted the obstacles the team overcame, particularly considering that many players had no prior World Cup experience. He emphasized that while other teams boasted seasoned players, the She Cranes performed admirably with a majority of players new to the World Cup stage.
Expressing his dismay, Mugerwa conveyed his disappointment with the lack of financial recognition for his role, noting that he has been performing his coaching duties as a volunteer.
“I have never received a single coin from Uganda Netball Federation; save for the Shs500,000 I got during the Namibian trip! But all time I encounter blames and abuses! I have a family with grandchildren but someone doesn’t consider such – tossing me up and down – moreover, these are people I trained, the so-called coaches. I think enough is enough; maybe I may not renew my contract. I cannot be abused – yet I am unpaid. If I was [being] paid abused and paid – that would be understandable but I am just a volunteer,” Mugerwa bitterly said.
Meanwhile, UNF CEO, Francis Banya, said that Mugerwa had not formally filed a complaint regarding the issue.