Uganda Athletics has amended its 2022 Safeguarding and Welfare Policy in a move aimed at strengthening the protection of athletes and other participants across the sport. The revised policy is designed to close existing gaps while introducing clearer and more transparent reporting and case management systems.
The federation said the changes are intended to protect athletes and participants from all forms of harm and to promote a safer and more accountable sporting environment. Uganda Athletics officials acknowledged that the original policy did not fully address some of the challenges currently affecting athletes.
Dominic Otucet said the omission of key issues prompted the review process. “We passed the 2022 safeguarding policy without including issues of gender based violence which is currently affecting our athletes. That is why we saw it as important to amend the policy to accommodate these concerns,” Otucet said.
Stakeholders from the International Olympic Committee and the National Council of Sports stressed the need for safeguarding frameworks that go beyond policy documents, urging Uganda Athletics to ensure the immediate implementation of the revised measures.
Milton Chebet, the assistant general secretary at the National Council of Sports, said the council will actively oversee the process. “As the National Council of Sports, we are going to follow up to ensure that the proposed safeguarding policies are put into action for the safety of our athletes,” Chebet noted.
Athletes and coaches have welcomed the amendments, describing them as a positive step towards safer sport. They have however emphasized that the impact will depend on enforcement, warning against the policies remaining guidelines on paper.
Uganda Athletics said the updated framework will improve athlete welfare through clearer reporting channels and effective case management systems, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding everyone involved in the sport.
