The Ministry of Education and Sports has set June 20, 2025, as the deadline for all national sports federations and associations to re-register under the new legal framework.
The move follows the official publication of the National Sports Regulations and the National Sports Law statutory instruments in the Uganda Gazette on March 14, aimed at operationalizing the National Sports Act 2023.
During a media briefing on Wednesday March 26, Minister of State for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang emphasized that the new regulations will enforce transparency and accountability in Uganda’s sports sector.
The law grants legal recognition to only one national federation or association per sports discipline, ensuring proper governance and oversight.
“The new law actually mandates us to know how much they receive from international federations,” Ogwang stated.
He also urged the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) to comply by recognizing only federations registered by the National Council of Sports (NCS).
“We cannot register and recognize you when we do not know your address and who you are,” he added.
The law also stipulates that sports federations must demonstrate a 75% national presence to qualify for registration.
NCS Chairman Ambrose Tashobya warned that organizations engaging in minimal or sporadic activities will not meet the requirements.
“Licensing will be done annually, and the certificate will be granted every year. You should not go to districts and have a one-day activity and think you have 75% presence as the law requires. There must be recognizable activity throughout the year,” Tashobya explained.
NCS General Secretary Dr. Bernard Patrick Ogwel reinforced the importance of financial accountability for federations receiving government funds.
“Once you draw money from the government consolidated fund, you must account. This does not need reference to the sports law, the national constitution already provides,” Ogwel stated.
Rev. Canon Duncan Mugumya, Commissioner of Physical Education, encouraged federations to collaborate with schools and higher learning institutions to expand their sports disciplines nationwide.
“Remember, under this same law, schools are mandated to participate in at least 15 sports disciplines,” he noted.
The government has made it clear that only registered and licensed federations will receive support and recognition under the National Sports Act and its regulations.
