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The act has been in development for several months and includes contributions from various sports stakeholders since Budiope East legislator Moses Magogo, introduced it to Parliament in November 2022.
Uganda’s President H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni assented to the National Sports Bill 2023 on Monday, bringing an end to a long wait for better sports legislation in the country.
This significant legislation replaces the antiquated 1964 National Council of Sports Act and is the most substantial revamp the Uganda’s sports sector has seen in over 50 years.
The act has been in development for several months and includes contributions from various sports stakeholders since Budiope East legislator Moses Magogo, 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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12:11 - 24.08.2023
Sports Act 2023 Ten-year imprisonment for age cheats under new Ugandan sports law
In Uganda, we have had countless scenarios of age cheating, with several sports men constantly denying any age attached to them, while in other scenarios, their sporting experience speaks much more about their sporting age.
The new law aims to ‘streamline the administration, management and regulation of sports activities in the country’ as envisioned by its proponents.
Not a lot has changed regards the functions of the National Council of Sports, though, but the law has adopted much of its earlier provisions under Part III.
The act is comprehensive, detailed in sections 27-41 under Part III of the 2023 National Sports Law, and is designed to buttress the National Council of Sports' (NCS) continued existence.
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"The National Council of Sports in existence at the commencement of this Act shall continue in existence, subject to this Act," says Section 27.
The law further states, the Council shall remain “a body corporate with perpetual succession and shall have an official seal.” The Council shall also “be capable of suing and being sued.”
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09:34 - 24.08.2023
LAW Sports Act 2023: The six types of people who risk imprisonment for betting
Referees, players, club owners and federation employees have been prohibited from any form of betting in the new laws. They are not allowed to offer betting tips for any sports activities, including the English Premier League.
Core Functions: More Than Just Oversight
The new law delineates the functions of the NCS in an elaborate fashion.
The Council shall not only recognize a sports discipline as a national sports discipline and register national sports organizations, but also promote and regulate the activities of national sports associations and national sports federations.
Among its other functions are the organizing of sports clinics, approval of hosting international sports competitions, and ‘facilitate cooperation between and amongst national sports associations and national sports federations’.
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The NCS has been granted the power to inspect the offices and facilities of a national sports association or a national sports federation, and even ‘undertake or cause an audit of the books of accounts and records’ of these entities.
The new law fosters synergy as the Council shall cooperate with the Ministry and other government Ministries, departments, and agencies in the implementation of this Act.
This aligns well with the Council’s responsibility to ‘collaborate with the Ministry, facilitate the participation of Ugandan athletes and national teams in international sports competitions’.
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13:48 - 24.08.2023
ATHLETICS Why King Cheptegei decided against running the 5K in Budapest
It wasn't a choice made lightly, as the stakes were particularly high for the athlete and for Uganda as a nation.
Board and Secretariat: The Drivers of the NCS
The composition and renumeration of the Board of the NCS was an issue that delayed the signing of the bill into law in May, as Museveni held reservations over the composition and renumeration of the board.
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.
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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.
To steer the NCS, a Board shall be constituted comprising seven members, including a representative of athletes, a person with knowledge and experience in sports administration, and others representing various stakeholders.
The General Secretary, appointed by the Board, shall be the key operative overseeing the day-to-day operations.
The Act describes the General Secretary as ‘a person of high moral character and proven integrity with knowledge and experience in sports science, law, sports administration, social sciences, humanities, development studies or public administration."
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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