Ugandan legislators taking part in the East Africa Parliamentary Games have criticised the country’s funding model for sport, arguing that indoor disciplines continue to lose out as football dominates the national budget.
Their concerns followed Uganda’s loss to Kenya in volleyball at Makerere University Indoor Arena, a result they linked to the country’s shortage of modern indoor facilities.
The MPs said poor infrastructure limits training options and reduces the competitiveness of teams in sports like volleyball and basketball, both of which have delivered regional success in recent years.
Kumi Municipality MP Silas Aogon said performance levels in the two disciplines have dipped because their federations receive far less support than football.
“It’s high time we, as Members of Parliament and the executive, ensure more funding for indoor sports infrastructure, like there was a year we allocated billions to FUFA, yet indoor facilities don’t require such huge budgets.” Aogon emphasised.
Karenga District MP Ben Baatom added that Uganda will only build better arenas if it commits to staging top level indoor competitions.
“The only way we will see better indoor facilities is by considering hosting international championships, Look at how football stadiums are being built because we are hosting AFCON.” says Baatom.
The MPs called for a more balanced allocation of resources, arguing that investing in indoor sports would strengthen national teams and widen opportunities for athletes.
The Inter Parliamentary Games are ongoing, with all events live on NBS Sport and AfroMobile.
