URA Ladies Under Pressure as New Signings Demand Unpaid Contractual Fees

URA Ladies’ debut season in the Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League is already facing turbulence, with several newly signed players reportedly demanding payment of outstanding signing-on fees agreed upon in their contracts.

The club’s off-field challenges come just days after a disappointing start to life in the topflight, with a 3-0 home defeat to KCCA Women FC on Matchday One. However, Sports Light Uganda understands that concerns over unpaid contractual fees have left some of the new players unhappy with the club’s administration, raising questions about the team’s preparations and the welfare of its players.

Over six players joined URA Ladies from different clubs, including Amus College WFC, KCCA Women FC and Rayon Sport, among others.

The new signings include Lydia Nyandera, Patience Nabulobi, Tamisi Shafiga, Brenda Nankya, Zainah Namuleme, Shamusa Najjuma and Beatrice Kyokushaba.

Sports Light Uganda understands that some of the new signings, whose names have been withheld, had agreed on signing-on fees with the club as part of their contracts.

According to sources, the players were told that the agreed amounts would be deposited into their respective bank accounts immediately after signing their contracts. However, the payments have reportedly not been made, despite the club having already begun its league campaign.

Like any other observer, the opening-day defeat could be attributed to several factors, including the arrival of new players, a new technical team, an unfamiliar environment and the challenge of facing one of the strongest teams in the league.

Opening matches can also be unpredictable, with some players still working towards full match fitness at the start of a new season.

However, Sports Light Uganda understands that some of the new players are unhappy with the club’s administration over the alleged failure to honour the contractual agreements regarding their signing-on fees.

Sources further indicate that the players have attempted to engage CEO Allan Munaaba over the outstanding payments. He has reportedly maintained that the money was sent, but the players say no payments have reflected in the bank accounts they provided.

One player is reportedly facing serious financial difficulties after failing to receive the agreed money, which she had planned to use to pay rent and cover 75 per cent of her younger sister’s school fees.

According to the information received by Sports Light Uganda, the player’s landlord has since threatened to evict her, while her younger sister remains at home.

The situation raises concerns about the welfare of the newly signed players, with the possibility that others could be facing similar financial challenges.

With Matchday Two of the Finance Trust Bank FUFA Women Super League scheduled for this weekend, on Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, September 27, URA Ladies could face further challenges as they seek their first points of the season amid the reported payment disputes.

The club boasts a quality squad and an experienced technical team, including Moses Nkata and Brian Taddeo Nyanzi, among others. However, football results are not determined by what happens on the pitch alone, as the welfare and mental well-being of players can also play a significant role.

Meanwhile, URA Ladies will host Makerere University on Saturday, September 26, at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo, hoping to register their first victory of the season against Fred Ndawula’s stubborn side.