President Museveni was the most high profile visitor to the Uganda Cranes team camp as they prepared for today's crucial clash.

After 34 years in the cold, a time that Ugandans should expect “positive feedback” after today’s crucial match against Kenya’s Harambee Stars in the Africa Nations Cup qualifiers, fans were yesterday treated to a rude shock that key player David Obua, had been suspended. Uganda top Group J with 10 points, but it has all come down to this one game yet Obua is one of the team’s primary route to goal.
Such is the weight of the encounter between the two teams that President Museveni yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the Cranes camp to boost the players’ morale.
President’s visit
The President who is said to have spent about 20 minutes leisurely talking to the team and reportedly gave the players Shs50 million and promised further allowances as well as committing government to start paying Coach Bobby Williamson’s salary.
Mr Museveni also invited the Cranes to State House for a dinner after the match – no matter the result today.
The courtesy visits has, however, had unintended results, following a disagreement between Obua and Fufa President Lawrence Mulindwa. Obua says he wanted to ask the Presidents question but Mulindwa barred him.
It’s said Obua then headed straight for the team bus but when the rest of the squad went to board after meeting the President, Obua had long left for the Cranes hotel in Naalya.
While Coach Williamson admits he asked Obua to leave the Camp, it is not clear who made the final decision to have the player suspended.
Ugandans yesterday gave mixed reactions to the news; while some supported the player, arguing it was his right to put questions to the President, others said he should have put the country ahead of his difference with the Cranes leaders.
Coach Bobby on his side said it was imperative for Ugandans to focus on today’s game than let the suspension derail the campaign.
“Ugandans are aware of a very important game tomorrow,” said Bobby, “So it’s important we fully focus on that game.”
Theories to the saga
By Press time, none of the FUFA officials had given clear reasons for Obua’s suspension. Reports say that Obua was asked by Bobby to leave the camp after he walked away on the team after yesterday’s training session at Namboole. But other reports indicate it is Fufa president Lawrence Mulindwa, who ordered the execution.
The Hearts midfielder is said to have walked out after Mulindwa allegedly stopped him from asking President Museveni questions when he visited them.
Cranes and Ghana ’78 legend Tom Lwanga believes Obua should have been more cautious this time following his storming off to the dressing room after he was substituted against Guinea Bissau in June.
“His action shows his apology then wasn’t genuine,” said Lwanga, adding, “For me I think it’s time we forgot about him. It’s very bad for our campaign at this time. I don’t know, maybe it could be a blessing in disguise.”
Some quarters have it that Bobby could have probably told Obua he would not make the starting line-up today and the star was so riled he walked away, or the Hearts player could have been frustrated by his own persistent injury troubles.
“I had told the coach I would not play 90 minutes because I still felt my muscle and we were told the team would be named tomorrow at 9am after my fitness test. So those theories are not true,” said Obua.
Whether Uganda qualify today or not, this latest outburst could surely have ended Obua’s national career. For now, he can concentrate on his club career at Hearts and hope.