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Denis Musanje
On the graduation of the 2025/2026 Uganda Premier League season, the Federation of Uganda Soccer Associations (FUFA) undertook what gave the impression to be a commendable initiative geared toward enhancing refereeing requirements and strengthening efficiency monitoring. In pursuit of this goal, referees’ assessors successfully the “coaches” of match officers had been subjected to competency analysis checks to find out their readiness to raise officiating requirements.
Assessors play a task as essential to referees as coaches do to gamers. Their analytical perception, objectivity, and talent to speak constructive suggestions are important in shaping refereeing efficiency. With out competent assessors, even probably the most promising referees threat stagnation.
The assessments, performed on the FUFA Cranes Paradise Lodge in Kisasi, consisted of technical and analytical examinations generally known as “trivia checks.” These concerned video-based match eventualities drawn from televised FUFA competitions such because the Uganda Premier League and the FUFA Massive League. Assessors had been required to guage incidents figuring out, as an example, whether or not a problem warranted a yellow or crimson card, or whether or not an offside offense had occurred whereas offering exact justification for his or her choices. In essence, the checks measured match interpretation, decision-making accuracy, and analytical reasoning.
Nevertheless, the outcomes painted a troubling image.
Dependable sources inside the federation point out that the preliminary move mark was set at 10 out of 20. Below this customary, solely two assessors Denis Batte and Catherine Nagadya efficiently met the brink. In response, the move mark was subsequently lowered to eight out of 20. But even with this adjustment, efficiency remained largely underwhelming, with solely 4 assessors managing to attain 9 out of 20.
The general rating distribution was as follows:
11 marks: 1 assessor
10 marks: 1 assessor
9 marks: 4 assessors
8 marks: 2 assessors
7 marks: 5 assessors
6 marks: 4 assessors
5 marks: 1 assessor
4 marks: 3 assessors
3 marks: 5 assessors
2 marks: 1 assessor
1 mark: 1 assessor
A big majority scored under even the adjusted move mark, elevating severe issues concerning the competence of these entrusted with guiding referees.
One may moderately count on that those that carried out finest in these evaluations could be prioritized for high-stakes matches, notably through the decisive phases of the season when refereeing errors have a tendency to extend. Satirically and maybe predictably the alternative seems to be the case. Assessors with decrease scores have reportedly been assigned to probably the most essential fixtures.
A number of explanations have emerged. One justification cited is the necessity for regional illustration, guaranteeing that every match options an assessor from a selected locality. One other, extra contentious rationale, is the notion amongst decision-makers that former referees who didn’t attain FIFA standing are inherently much less certified to function assessors. This notion, nevertheless, is essentially flawed. Officiating on the FIFA degree and assessing referees are distinct disciplines; the latter calls for sturdy analytical means, efficient communication (notably in English), and a deep understanding of the fashionable sport.
Extra regarding nonetheless are stories that some assessors didn’t sit for the competency checks in any respect. Allegedly, their absence was as a result of involvement in political mobilization actions for a distinguished Member of Parliament with vital affect in soccer circles. In what seems to be a troubling substitution of meritocracy with loyalty, such people are nonetheless thought of for evaluation roles.
The irony is tough to disregard whereas referees proceed to face criticism for inconsistent performances in Uganda’s prime competitions, the very people tasked with mentoring and evaluating them might themselves lack the required competence or worse, bypass the system totally.
The analysis train was coordinated by Referees Supervisor Ssali Mashood and the FUFA Referees Standing Committee Chairman Brian Miiro Nsubuga, with examinations administered by Ali Tomusange Mulumba (a CAF Referees Committee member), David Davis Katabira, and Adipo Catherine.
If Ugandan soccer is to handle the persistent concern of refereeing errors, consideration should lengthen past the referees themselves to these answerable for their growth. Till the requirements utilized to assessors match the expectations positioned on referees, the cycle of inconsistency might nicely persist leaving the attractive sport entangled in avoidable controversy.
