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The lock had his foul play on Adrian Kasito go undetected by both the referee and her assistants in Heathens’ 17-15 win over Kobs at Legends two weeks ago.
Platinum Credit Heathens will have to negotiate the remainder of the rugby season without Charles Uhuru following a 15-week suspension slapped on him by the Uganda Rugby Union Disciplinary Committee.
The lock had his foul play on Adrian Kasito go undetected by both the referee and her assistants in Heathens’ 17-15 win over Kobs at Legends two weeks ago.
The incident, where the Rugby Cranes player grabs Kasito and plants him down head-first, was captured on camera and that prompted further investigations into the matter.
The ruling read in part: “The Disciplinary Committee referred to the World Rugby regulation 17, appendix 1 for guidance and has resolved to suspend Mr. Uhuru for fifteen (15) weeks from taking part in any Union sanctioned rugby activity.”
Hours after the suspension was announced, Heathens have come out to accept the decision made.
“Heathens Rugby Football Club acknowledges the decision made by the Uganda Rugby Union regarding the suspension of Charles Uhuru for 15 weeks from participating in any Union sanctioned activity following a regrettable incident that happened during the Nile Special Premier League 2023 game between Kobs and Heathens played at Legends on 28th January 2023,” part of the statement reads.
“We take player safety seriously and do not condone any actions that compromise the integrity of the sport. We will continue to enforce strict standards of fair play and support the efforts of the governing body to promote player safety.”
Uhuru remorseful
Uhuru does not have a track record of foul play and must have acted in the heat of the moment.
In the same game, however, he escaped a card for a high tackle on Pius Ogena before that incident.
For a 15s player in Uganda, missing 14 league games is huge.
There is barely any other action in the year apart from the Uganda Cup, which is short. That is the price Uhuru will pay for his actions.
“In the meantime, we shall work closely with Uhuru to help him understand his actions’ impact and work toward improving his game,” the club notes.
“Charles is deeply remorseful of his actions and would love to extend his apologies to Adrian Kasito, fans, and other stakeholders for any disappointments caused.”
The Rugby Union has come out hard on indiscipline this season.
Stanbic Black Pirate scrumhalf Stephen Alul has also been suspended for two weeks for foul play in the team’s game with Jinja Hippos on January 28th.
At the point of Uhuru’s suspension, Heathens are fourth on the ten-team log. They have accumulated 15 points, three behind table leaders Pirates.
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