National Council of Sports general secretary Bernard Ogwel has urged sports federations to expand opportunities for women, warning that limited structures continue to slow progress across the country.
As Uganda prepares to mark International Women’s Day on Sunday, Ogwel told NBS Sport that while the country has abundant female talent, administrators have not done enough to create sustainable systems that support growth.
“Out of the fifty federations I know, I can assess and say very few have national leagues where females participate. At club level, I also see very few clubs for women and limited opportunities given to them,” Ogwel stated.
He argued that the shortage of women’s leagues and clubs is restricting visibility and competitiveness at both domestic and international levels. Without consistent competitions and strong club foundations, he said, it becomes difficult to develop athletes for elite performance.
Ogwel added that proper planning, improved funding, and increased exposure could transform the landscape, insisting that Ugandan female athletes have the ability to compete strongly on the global stage if given structured support.
Despite the challenges, he praised standout female performers who continue to represent the country with distinction, and called on stakeholders to build systems that consistently nurture and sustain women’s sport in the long term.
