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This new law is more than just a document; it's a beacon for Ugandan sports, promising growth, inclusivity, and a brighter future for all federations, big or small, according to Magogo.
FUFA President and Budiope East Member of parliament Moses Magogo has described the new sports law as one that holds deep importance and benefits to all sports federations in Uganda.
Magogo who championed the new Sports bill says federations have the potential to change the narrative of their sports disciplines if they adequately utilize the power of the law.
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The President of Uganda, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Monday assented to the National Sports Bill 2023, following rigorous debates and deliberations in parliament.
This groundbreaking legislation will supplant the 1964 National Council of Sports Act, bringing the most significant overhaul to the sports sector Uganda has witnessed in half a century.
Addresing to media on Tuesday, Magogo said that sports federations ought to learn from the journey of the football federation [FUFA] to understand the value that comes with regulation.
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"FUFA might be the lead federation [in the country], so we have experienced a lot of things to get to where we are, and we know the journey,” he said.
We want to have a law to protect, and whatever has been put in the law, helps any federation that is working hard."
"If your federation is going to work on the development of the sport, recruitment, preparation of teams, you will find that this law is going to be useful,” Magogo asserted.
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“All you have to do as a federation is do your things right, follow the proper path of growth like the football federation has done, and when you get to the top you will realize that all these laws that have been put together are for your own growth and benefit."
Magogo highlighted the primary goals of the legislation is to regulate Uganda's sports sector, ensure smoother operations of sports federations, and enhance transparency and accountability in sports administration.
Magogo’s vision for the sports law extends beyond the top-tier sports federations. Acknowledging the smaller entities.
He said, "But we have also taken care of the process of growth, that there are certain federations that are not yet there, but they should be given the time and the process to grow."
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19:55 - 21.08.2023
ALL SPORT President Museveni finally assents to National Sports Bill
First tabled on November 10, 2022, and passed by Parliament on March 2, 2023, the Bill was returned by the President with key amendments.
On infrastructure development, he highlighted the inclusivity of the bill, stating, "There has also been a benefit that when we are doing the sports infrastructure, it is not just football.”
“But infrastructure across the country. Because the surface that is used for football can be used for rugby, handball, and the other sports can also utilize the same infrastructure."
the bill has been in development for several months and includes contributions from various sports stakeholders since the Budiope East legislator introduced it to Parliament in November 2022.
Magogo’s National Sports Bill 2021, and the Physical Activity and Sports Bill 2022 which was tabled by the Ministry of Education and Sports were married for Parliament to pass the Sports bill initially on March 03, 2023.
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In May however, the bill was not signed into law after it was introduced to Museveni, who advised parliament to reconsider up to four clauses within the bill.
The clauses that needed reconsideration included the Interpretation clause (clause 2), Clause 32 entails the renumeration of the board of the NCS, Clause 75 which rules on Public Sports Infrastructure and Schedule 2 that detailed the recognized sports federations in Uganda.
On June 27, 2023, parliament after a second reading passed the Sports Law and returned it to the president for assent, which was yielded on August 21.
The updated legislation not only aims to transition Ugandan sport from an amateur to a professional setting but also promises to uphold international standards.
It seeks to adopt the World Anti-Doping Code, empowering authorities to investigate doping-related concerns rigorously.
Furthermore, the Bill guarantees the preservation of public sports infrastructure by vesting their rights in the National Council of Sports, ensuring they aren't sold or mortgaged without the Minister's consent.
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