Referees are the invisible backbone of any sport, tasked with upholding fairness, enforcing rules, and maintaining order under pressure. At the highest levels of the game, they are respected, well-compensated, and shielded from abuse by governing bodies that understand the immense pressure they face. But in Uganda, the reality is starkly different. Here, referees are often scapegoated, under-supported, and left vulnerable to public ridicule and institutional neglect.
In 2021, following South Africa’s first Test defeat to the British & Irish Lions, Dr. Rassie Erasmus released an hour-long video criticising referee Nic Berry. In the video, Rassie highlighted 26 decisions he believed were incorrect, and he was right about 23 of them. Despite this, World Rugby banned him from all rugby-related activities for two months and from all match-day involvement (including coaching and media engagement). SA Rugby was fined £20,000. Rassie was also warned about his future conduct and required to issue a public apology to the match officials involved.
Fast forward to Uganda. In 2023, during a Nile Special Rugby Premier League game between Heathens and KOBs at Kyadondo Rugby Club, the KOBs pressured referee Wutimber into making a controversial call. In the dying moments of a tied game (12-12), the referee penalised Kobs just inside their 22-meter territory. Heathens opted to kick for potential winning points. KOBs players protested the decision and physically blocked Heathens from taking the kick, leading to a scuffle and a significant delay. While no KOBs player was punished, Wutimber was suspended, and life moved on.
What’s my point? At the international level, World Rugby ensures its referees perform at the highest standard. They’re well-compensated, supported with communication technology, and protected from undue criticism. In Uganda, being a referee feels more like a curse. Fans and teams attack you, and the Rugby Union is quick to sacrifice you rather than support you.
On May 8, 2025, experienced referee Gonzalo Mayanja announced his retirement from refereeing, just as he was hitting his prime. This came just weeks after he was subjected to abuse and online ridicule, following Walukuba’s decision to walk off the pitch in the 69th minute during a game against the Pirates on April 12, 2025. For context, a rugby match lasts 80 minutes. In their submission, Walukuba cited “the need to preserve the team’s mental health” as their reason for abandoning the match.
After review, the URU technical committee categorised the team’s actions as misconduct and not in the spirit of the game. However, they also admitted that the manual lacked specific provisions for such an incident. Their resolution? A request for Walukuba Barbarians to engage their players in discussions about enhancing mental fortitude to ensure they complete matches in the future.
Let’s rewind a few years to a similar incident. In 2018, Impis walked off a game against the Pirates in the 58th minute. In that case, the URU classified it as misconduct, also citing the spirit of the game. The Impis captain was suspended for three games, and the team was docked four points, leading to the Warriors’ rise and Impis’ relegation. Worth noting: there was no clause in the manual covering that scenario either. But then, punishment was deemed appropriate.
So, if a precedent was set in 2018, why is no action taken in 2025? Doesn’t it look like the URU is regressing?
Last year, former national captain Ivan Magomu was banned for an extended period for allegedly bringing the sport into disrepute after tweeting criticism of the National Council of Sports (NCS) General Secretary regarding athlete welfare. Was that covered in the tournament manual? Wasn’t he punished?
What I’m saying is this: referees in Uganda are subjected to substandard treatment while being expected to deliver flawless performances. When the very body meant to protect you leaves you stranded in the desert without water, how are you supposed to thrive?
