The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) suspended the 2001–02 East African Hedex Super Cup champions Express FC Chief Executive Officer (Ceo) Ashraf Miiro Mwanje over an alleged match-fixing scheme.
The suspensions were announced by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected manipulation of the December 21, 2024 UPL match between Kitara and Express.
On Thursday, FUFA’s Investigatory Chamber of the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee provisionally suspended five individuals connected to the game, including former Uganda Cranes midfielder Mike Mutyaba, Express CEO Ashraf Miiro, defender Mbazira Ashraf, goalkeeper Emmanuel Kalyowa and Ivan Katende.
The football governing body said the suspensions will last 90 days as investigations continue into allegations that the match was manipulated for betting purposes following a suspicious betting alert flagged by FIFA.
According to FUFA, the investigation stems from a betting integrity alert from FIFA after the match between Kitara FC and Express FC on December 21, 2024.
The federation said suspicious betting patterns indicated the match had allegedly been fixed in advance with prior information that Express FC would lose and concede at least five goals.
Preliminary findings from the investigation point to Mutyaba as the central figure in the alleged plot.
FUFA says Mutyaba worked closely with Katende Ivan, a figure previously linked to match-fixing investigations, to orchestrate the scheme.
Investigators believe Mutyaba, a renown critic of FUFA president Moses Magogo, introduced Katende to Express FC CEO Ashraf Miiro, after which the trio allegedly agreed to manipulate the outcome of the match.
“Preliminary findings show Mutyaba coordinated the match-fixing with Katende, a known figure in FUFA match-fixing investigations,” the statement reads.
“Mutyaba introduced Katende to Express FC CEO Miro and the three conspired to manipulate the results of the match.”
The game, played in Hoima, eventually ended Kitara FC 7–0 Express FC, a result FUFA says raised red flags and triggered the ongoing match-fixing investigation.
In a statement issued on Friday, Express FC chairman Suubi Kiwanuka said the club had acknowledged FUFA’s communication regarding the suspensions and the ongoing probe.
“Express FC acknowledges the communication from the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) regarding the provisional suspension of our CEO, Mr. Ashraf Miro Mwanje, current player Mbazira Ashraf, and other named individuals, in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged match manipulation during our fixture against Kitara FC on 21st December 2024,” Kiwanuka said in the statement.
He said while the investigations continue, the club remains guided by the principle of due process.
“While we respect the principle of ‘innocent until proven guilty,’ the Club maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward any form of match manipulation or unethical conduct,” he noted.
Kiwanuka added that the club will fully cooperate with football authorities during the investigation.
“We fully respect the mandate and processes of the Investigatory Chamber of FUFA’s Ethics and Disciplinary Committee, and shall uphold the 90-day provisional suspension. We shall continue to cooperate unreservedly with all relevant authorities to ensure a transparent and exhaustive conclusion to this matter,” Kiwanuka stated.
The Express chairman also reaffirmed the club’s long-standing position against any actions that undermine the integrity of the game.
“Once again, Express FC reaffirms our zero-tolerance stance on match manipulation and any conduct that undermines the credibility of football. Such conduct strikes at the heart of sporting integrity and Fair Play values the Club has championed for decades.”
With the suspensions affecting key figures at the club, Kiwanuka revealed that the board has already taken steps to ensure continuity within the team and administration.
“The Club’s Board of Directors is taking immediate internal steps to ensure administrative and footballing continuity. During this period, we call upon our supporters, partners, and the wider football community to allow the investigative process to reach its conclusion,” Kiwanuka stated.
He added that the club remains committed to protecting its reputation and the integrity of the sport.
“The Board remains fully committed to protecting the reputation of the Red Eagles and upholding the sanctity of football in Uganda.”