She Cranes’ head coach, Fred Mugerwa, has officially signed a two-year contract and will now begin receiving a monthly salary. This development was confirmed on Wednesday by Sarah Babirye Kityo, the Uganda Netball Federation (UNF) President.
Babirye expressed her satisfaction with the contract renewal, stating, “We are glad that we have been able to renew our contract with Coach Mugerwa. He is a very skilled and technical coach, so it would have been unfortunate for the country to lose him when we needed him the most. Despite the challenges, he remained dedicated to our team.”
In August, Mugerwa raised concerns about his job, revealing that he had not received his salary for two years. This revelation led to a public outcry, with many demanding action from the sports ministry.
In response, Minister Peter Ogwang explained that although Mugerwa did not have a formal contract with the UNF, they had an informal agreement. According to Ogwang, Mugerwa was brought in to assist the national team when needed, and he received allowances.
Fast forward to the contract announcement, and Babirye disclosed that they have reached an agreement to settle Mugerwa’s salary arrears in instalments. Simultaneously, he will receive a monthly salary as stipulated in his new contract.
Mugerwa expressed his gratitude for the new contract, saying, “I am thankful for being offered a new contract. We reached an understanding with the Federation, and they have promised to continue clearing my arrears as I carry on with my coaching duties.”
In August of this year, Mugerwa led the She Cranes to their highest-ever World Cup finish, securing fifth place in the competition held in South Africa.