Social media post sees Uganda captain slapped with huge ban
Uganda flyhalf Ivan Magomu has been stripped of his captaincy of the national team and handed a six-month ban by the Uganda Rugby Union following comments made in July towards Secretary General of the National Council of Sports, Dr Benard Ogwel.
Following a hearing before the Uganda Rugby Union Disciplinary Committee on August 8, the URU confirmed the outcome in a statement released at midnight on Friday August 16.
The 30-year-old had been charged with two offences. The first was for the physical and verbal abuse of match officials, which occurred on June 1 at the Nile Special Rugby Championship final, in contravention of World Rugby disciplinary regulation 9.28.
The second offence, which has caused far more rancour, was for bringing the sport to disrepute. An initial statement by the URU said: "On 31 July 2024 Mr Ivan Magomu posted on his X social media handle in a reaction to a letter supposedly written by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Planning & Economic Development regarding the appointment of Dr Benard Ogwel who is the General Secretary of the National Council of Sport.
"Mr Magomu on his X handle questioned the manner in which Dr Ogwel has been handling the sport and athletes.
"We feel Mr Magomu contravened the code of conduct clauses that he is bound to."
The post in question said: "Dr Ogwel Benard & Co.have placed their interests above and beyond those of Athletes and their well being in terms of economics, education, health & safety, hence making us one of the most vulnerable communities!
"The long arm of the Law is now BITING!"
The post was accompanied by the hashtag 'CorruptionFreeUganda'.
Magomu has now been banned from any rugby-related activity for 24 weeks effective from August 16, which includes participation in any administrative capacities with his club Stanbic Bank Black Pirates Rugby Club.
He has further been stripped of his captaincy of the national team.
The URU have confirmed that they have received an appeal, and will establish and appeals committee.
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Willis is decent in the lineout to be fair, but definitely lacking a heavyweight ball carrier.
I think between Underhill, Curry, and Willis there isn't a huge amount between them. Maybe Willis would be good enough to start, but he wouldn't massively improve the team.
Go to commentsI'm not sure he is getting there and I don't think he will. Progress has been glacial honestly. Our attacking structure hasn't improved at all, except that he's now picking Marcus Smith who is a one man attack at the moment... And our defence for obvious reasons is now awful. I would have faith in Borthwick if I had faith in his assistant coaches... But I don't think Wigglesworth is an attack coach and why would he be? He's never been an attack coach and he spent his entire career box kicking. Our defence coach has never been employed as a defence coach and is still the head coach of a second division French side with an awful defensive record. The fact that Borthwick appointed them both is a poor reflection. If we still had Felix Jones and we had Mike Catt/Nick Evans or someone in the attack coach role, I'd be content to be patient and that results will come. With Wigglesworth and Joe El Abd, I have no faith that we will improve and I've seen no signs that we are.
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