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In an official letter dated June 23, 2023, addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of Onduparaka FC, it was disclosed that the club had failed to effectively manage the playground.
Arua City Council has assumed control of Greenlight Stadium, the cherished home ground of Onduparaka FC.
The decision comes as a result of the club's alleged mismanagement of the facility, which has prompted the council to step in and take over revenue collection.
In an official letter dated June 23, 2023, addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of Onduparaka FC, it was disclosed that the club had failed to effectively manage the playground.
The letter stated, "Arising out of the challenges of managing Onduparaka playground, also known as Greenlight Stadium, I have taken over the management of the facility with immediate effect.”
“As the custodian of all government properties and assets within the jurisdiction of the division until consensus is reached among the various stakeholders on the management of the facility."
Consequently, any individual or organization interested in utilizing the facility will be required to seek permission from the City Division Town Clerk, who acts as the Accounting Officer for the entity.
“This is in line with Section 34(1) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 which provides that an Accounting Officer shall be responsible for the management of the assets and the inventories of the vote,” the letter added.
“Onduparaka football club will no longer manage the playground as it has been before until further notice.”
“Any stakeholder interested in conducting activities on the playground shall seek permission from the City Division Town Clerk who is the Accounting Officer of the entity,” it continued.
Onduparaka has been using the Green Light stadium for last five years during its time in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.
The ground which has also twice been endorsed for sponsorship purposes by Betway and Ababet during that period has been one of the club’s biggest cash cows, especially on matchdays.
In September last year, the Arua City Council tried to moot a plan to have Onduparaka and Arua Hill SC who host their games at the Barifa Stadium to pay a localized tax to use the public grounds.
While the council passed the resolution, it was never realized as there were lack of clear circumstances to how the clubs came to be granted permission to use the grounds.
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