By Eria Mugerwa
In her 5th June letter, IGG Irene Mulyagonja renowned for being fearless when it comes to protecting public interests instantly stopped the tenancy agreement that existed between the National Council of Sports (NCS) and Prophet Elvis Mbonye’s Zoe Fellowship Ministries. The IGG was responding to the petition by Uganda Cricket Association (UCA) headed by Martin Ondeko. The cricket fraternity’s concern, that the IGG has since accepted as merit-worthy, was that Mbonye’s congregation was destroying the Lugogo cricket facility against the interests of the UCA. The contract was meant to last two years but the IGG weighed in only 2 months into the contract and her intervention has left the NCS leadership (led by Bosco Onyik) at crossroads and has inspired other groups like the Hockey Association to also petition the IGG seeking similar protection against the NCS’ excesses. In stopping Mbonye, the IGG gives her reason which are reproduced as part of this story.
COSTING NCS;
We have established from reliable sources in Mbonye’s church that every Tuesday, the Prophet has been parting with Shs8m to use the NCS/UCA facility for just a few hours in the evenings. This brings the monthly pay to Shs32m which, according to NCS Board Chairman Bosco Onyik, was money the council badly needed to bridge the gap created by the perennially inadequate funding they annually get from the central government. Paying in advance, Prophet Elvis Mbonye had paid Shs768m to cover the two years of the initial contract at the cost of Shs32m per month. There are credible fears that without this money, lots of the NCS activities are going to be affected and as if that isn’t bad enough, Mbonye could demand a refund of his money as he struggles to find another alternative and appropriate venue for his weekly prayer crusades. For comments, call/text/whatsapp us on 0703164755.
