Today marks the start of the much-anticipated State of Ugandan Sport symposium at Next Media Park, a two-day gathering designed to evaluate the current landscape of sports in Uganda and set the course for future development.
The event, under the main theme of “Bridging the Gap” and running until Wednesday, brings together key stakeholders; from athletes and administrators to policymakers, for conversations that could shape the nation’s sporting destiny.
The highlight of Day One will be a high-level panel discussion on Uganda’s preparedness to host two continental football showpieces: the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The session, set to begin at 2:00 PM at the Next Conference Centre, will be broadcast live on NBS Sport, featuring the topic; “Assessing Uganda’s Readiness to host CHAN 2025 & AFCON 2027”.
Moderating the discussion is seasoned journalist Mark Ssali, a respected voice in Ugandan sports media.
A former columnist for Daily Monitor with his iconic “Mark My Word” column, Ssali’s media career spans decades, including stints at WBS TV, Radio One, and Supersport.
He now serves as Head of Corporate Affairs at the National Council of Sports and previously held a similar role at Uganda National Roads Authority.
Joining Ssali on the panel are four influential figures, each bringing unique perspectives and expertise to the table.
Moses Magogo, president of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), brings administrative authority and political insight to the discussion.
A CAF Executive Committee alumnus and current Member of Parliament for Budiope East, Magogo has led Ugandan football’s governing body since 2013, championing reforms and infrastructure growth that now underpin Uganda’s continental hosting ambitions.
Maureen Mulangira, the trailblazing Secretary General of the African Boxing Union, adds a continental dimension to the panel.
Nicknamed “Maama Bikonde” (Mother of Boxing), she chairs the Uganda Boxing Federation’s Professional Boxing Licensing Committee and is a member of the WBC women’s ratings committee.
Her leadership in the sport has been instrumental in positioning Uganda as a hub for professional boxing development.
Also on the panel is Aggrey Ashaba, a respected sports administrator and former Chairman of KCCA FC.
Ashaba, now Chairperson of the Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum, is credited with modernising the structure and governance of KCCA FC during his tenure.
His business acumen and sports management experience offer valuable insight into the organisational demands of hosting continental tournaments.
Completing the panel is Eng. Jonard Asiimwe, an energy sector expert, politician, philanthropist, and football investor.
Asiimwe, the Executive Director of Jonard Conglomerate Investments Ltd and founder of the Jonard Development Foundation, has invested heavily in Ugandan football.
His company sponsors Kitara FC, reigning Women Super League champions Kampala Queens, Mbale Heroes, and Booma FC, in deals valued at more than UGX 600 million combined.
A champion of youth empowerment and ideological awareness, Asiimwe’s perspective links sport with community transformation.
With the clock ticking down to CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027, today’s dialogue is expected to raise important questions around infrastructure readiness, financing, talent development, and international standards.
As Uganda positions itself to host Africa’s biggest football events, the insights shared today could prove pivotal in shaping the country’s success story.
The symposium continues tomorrow with more sessions exploring the sponsorship landscape In Ugandan sport and building a sustainable sport eco system.
