Football

FERWAFA boss Fabrice Shema resigns amid legal, integrity scandals

Published

2 weeks ago

October 1, 2026

Fabrice Shema Ngoga has abruptly resigned from his position as President of the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), bringing a sudden end to his 13-month tenure at the helm of Rwandan football.

Shema communicated his decision in an official letter dated September 29, 2026, addressed to FERWAFA General Assembly member Bonny Mugabe, with copies extended to international governing bodies including FIFA, CAF, and CECAFA.

In the document, Shema made his immediate departure official, writing: “I hereby submit my resignation from my position as President of the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), with immediate effect. This decision follows the integrity issue that has arisen in connection with my personality.”He noted that stepping down was essential for the federation.

“I believe that stepping down is the most responsible course of action to protect the credibility of the Federation, uphold public confidence, and allow the relevant processes to proceed independently and without distraction.”

However, Shema also cautioned stakeholders against drawing broader conclusions beyond verified facts, urging the public not to make assumptions beyond the facts established through the appropriate legal procedures.

Shema’s legal troubles first came to light in August 2026, when the Rwanda Investigation Bureau arrested him.

At the time, law enforcement authorities emphasised that the investigation stemmed entirely from private business dealings rather than his administrative duties at FERWAFA.

On September 2, the Nyarugenge Primary Court remanded him to provisional detention for 30 days, pending further inquiries into allegations that he issued cheques without sufficient funds and fraudulently acquired third-party property, involving unpaid cheques valued at $600,000 tied to transactions between Africa Medical Supplier and ABZL International General Trading LLC.

The judicial proceedings subsequently shifted after Shema’s legal team informed the court that a settlement had been reached with prosecutors.

Under the court-approved plea agreement, Shema admitted to the charges and paid the $600,000 covered by the cheques. He received a six-month prison sentence suspended for one year and was released from provisional detention after about 42 days.

Despite regaining his freedom, mounting public scrutiny over his personal conduct rendered his leadership position unsustainable, leading directly to his exit.

Prior to leading the national body, Shema spent six years as president of AS Kigali between 2019 and 2025, during which the club secured Peace Cup victories in 2019 and 2022. He took charge of FERWAFA in August 2025 as the sole candidate, winning 51 out of 53 votes cast at the Kigali Serena Hotel.

His resignation now leaves a leadership vacuum in Rwandan football, while also raising questions about his seat on the CECAFA Executive Committee, to which he was elected in February 2026. FERWAFA is expected to convene an Extraordinary General Assembly to select interim leadership and chart the path forward.

The post FERWAFA boss Fabrice Shema resigns amid legal, integrity scandals appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Football

Kintu wants URA to arrest poor run

Published

19 hours ago

October 15, 2026

Kenny Malone

Thursday October 15, 2026

Express FC vs UPDF FC – Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo (4:00 PM)
Kataka FC vs Vipers SC – BCS Sports Complex (4:00 PM)
URA FC vs Entebbe UPPC – Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo (7:00 PM)

URA head coach Jimmy Kintu wants his side to arrest the poor run of form when they host Entebbe UPPC at the Hamz stadium, Nakivubo on Thursday.

The tax men come into the game on the back of three defeats on the bounce and will be desperate to collect maximum points.

“We badly need to end this run,” said Kintu. “There were some positives from the game against KCCA which we lost and we want to build on that,” he added.

Kintu however understands how tough a task it will be against Abdallah Mubiru’s side who he described as well coached.

“They are one of the best well coached sides and it will be a tough game against them but we have no option but try and win.”

It remains to be seen if a lot of changes will be made by the ex-Calvary and Express tactician who started the last match without a recognized no.9.

URA are 15^th with 3 points on the log while the Printers are third with 10 points.

The visitors, who also shared same home, Nakivubo will look to Ambrose Kigozi, Steven Munguchi and Reich Kokolo among others for inspiration.

Elsewhere, Express take on UPDF in the day’s early kick off at the same venue while champions Vipers travel to Kataka.

The post Kintu wants URA to arrest poor run appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Football

“We Can’t Underrate UPDF,” Warns Express Boss Byekwaso Ahead of Nakivubo Clash

Published

19 hours ago

October 15, 2026

Kenny Malone

Express FC head coach Morley Byekwaso has issued a stern warning to his squad, demanding absolute focus and zero complacency ahead of their Thursday afternoon showdown against UPDF FC at the Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.

The Red Eagles head into the fixture having navigated a brutal opening stretch of the season, which saw them square off against heavyweights c including BUL, KCCA, SC Villa, Kitara, and NEC. While facing the army side might look like a breather on paper, Byekwaso is refusing to buy into the narrative of an “easy fixture.”

The math supports the manager’s caution. Both Express and UPDF sit neck-and-neck on five points, but the army side holds a distinct advantage with a game in hand and a superior position in the standings.

“The fact that we play in the same division means we can’t take them for granted,” Byekwaso told the press. “They are a good side who have the same points as us and are even above us in positioning. That is a clear sign to show they will be no pushovers.”

Squad Boost for the Red Eagles

The former SC Villa and KCCA tactician is expected to shuffle his pack to spark more clinical attacking play. Experienced left-back Shafik Batambuze is tipped to return to the squad after missing out on the hard-fought goalless draw away to NEC.

Additionally, midfielder Nicholas Jjonga is expected to be recalled to the starting eleven after being relegated to the bench in their last outing.

Express will start as slight favorites as they hunt for their first maximum points since their stunning 2-0 victory over rivals KCCA on matchday two. However, UPDF will prove a stubborn nut to crack, despite also registering just a single win from their opening four matches.

Thursday Super Double-Header at Nakivubo

The Express-UPDF clash is just the curtain-raiser for a massive day of Ugandan football, with Hamz Stadium hosting a highly anticipated double-header.

Later in the evening, URA FC will play host to Entebbe UPPC under the floodlights at 7:00 PM.

Meanwhile, defending champions Vipers SC face a tricky away trip as they travel to Bukedea to battle Kataka FC at the BCS Sports Complex.

Thursday, October 15, 2026 Fixtures

Express FC vs UPDF FC – Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo (4:00 PM)
Kataka FC vs Vipers SC – BCS Sports Complex, Bukedea (4:00 PM)
URA FC vs Entebbe UPPC – Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo (7:00 PM)

The post “We Can’t Underrate UPDF,” Warns Express Boss Byekwaso Ahead of Nakivubo Clash appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Football

Pressure mounts on Lavagne as Vipers visit Kataka

Published

19 hours ago

October 15, 2026

Kenny Malone

Denis Lavagne faces a defining moment in his tenure as Vipers SC head coach when his side travels to the Bukedea Comprehensive School (BCS) Sports Complex to take on Kataka FC this Thursday, October 15, 2026.

Following a frustrating 1-1 draw against Maroons FC, the French tactician is under no illusions: anything short of maximum points against the league struggling hosts could cost him his job.

Tactical Shake-up Expected in Bukedea

After drawing heavy criticism for fielding an overly cautious system with five defenders against the Prison Warders, Lavagne is expected to overhaul both his playing system and personnel.

The Venoms are tipped to adopt a more aggressive, attack-minded approach to break down the hosts. Veteran playmaker Farouk Miya is widely expected to be recalled to the starting eleven to inject much-needed creativity. To facilitate this tactical shift, one of the central defenders—Hilary Mukundane, Princewell Tarabina, or Bady Dasylva—will likely drop to the substitute bench.

David vs. Goliath? Not Quite.

On paper, Vipers enter the tie as heavy favourites. The star-studded Kitende-based club sits 10^th on the 18-team log with 7 points, while Kataka languish second from bottom in 17^th place with a mere 2 points from 5 matches.

However, league standings can be deceptive. Kataka remain hunting for their first win of the campaign, but they proved their resilience by holding record champions SC Villa to a chaotic 1-1 draw. Playing on their home turf at the BCS Sports Complex, the underdogs will rely on that same grit to cause an upset against a vulnerable Vipers side.

Nakivubo to Host Thursday Double-Header

Away from the drama in Bukedea, football fans in Kampala are in for a treat as the Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo hosts a highly anticipated double-header.

Express FC vs. UPDF FC (4:00 PM): Seven-time league champions Express FC will look to assert their dominance at home against a stubborn UPDF side in the afternoon kick-off.

URA FC vs. Entebbe UPPC (7:00 PM): The Tax Collectors will take center stage under the floodlights in the late evening fixture, welcoming Entebbe UPPC.

Thursday, October 15, 2026 Fixture Summary