The Sports Budget has witnessed gradual improvement to the current Ugx.26.4 Billion as provided for in the National Budget for the Financial Year 2019/2020. The augmented funding of National Council of Sports presents an opportunity for improved sports performance for Uganda's Sports athletes at National and international level and Uganda is now a force in sports. The improvements are as a result of deliberate government efforts to support and enable the sports athletes to thrive at different sports engagements.

NETBALL
Uganda, alongside South Africa, Zimbabwe and Malawi will represent Africa at the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool, England from 12th to 21st July 2019. The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports on Thursday 04th July 2019 flagged off the She Cranes team comprising of 13 players and 8 officials at State House Nakasero. The Government of Uganda provided all the funds for team’s participation in the world meet.

The Uganda Cranes continue with stellar performance at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations underway in Egypt.

On 30th June 2019, the Cranes lost 0-2 to Egypt, however progressed to the next round of 16 knockout phase. Uganda is today set to play against Senegal. Earlier on, Uganda defeated DR Congo 2-0 and thereafter drew 1-1 against Zimbabwe.

FOOTBALL
Uganda is making its 7th appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and this year’s edition is being hosted in Egypt from 21st to 19th July 2019. Uganda has had an impressive start with a 2-0 win against DR Congo in the opening match, goals courtesy of Patrick Kaddu and Emma Okwi. While in the second game, Emma Okwi again scored for Uganda to draw 1- 1 against Zimbabwe. Africa’s best goal keeper and Cranes Captain Dennis Onyango was on top form to ensure the exceptional performance.

FOOTBALL

MINISTER’S FORUM

On Tuesday May 28, the state minister for sports, Hon. Charles Bakkabulindi, hosted the first Minister’s Forum as mandated in Section 17 of the 2014 Statutory Instrument.

The forum brought together heads of national associations and federations’ president/chairman’s and their general secretaries/chief executive officers.

The open forum had associations demand that National Council of Sports (NCS) comes up with a threshold figure of money given to associations.

Also, tax waivers on sports equipment and the need for planning were discussed.

When the 2019/2020 National Budget is read out in June, the sports subsector will be smiling following an increment from Shs17bn to Shs26bn.

This was confirmed by the acting general secretary National Council of Sports (NCS) Dr. Benard Patrick Ogwel during the Capacity Building Workshop for Financial Mangers of National Sports Associations, held at the Copper Chimney Restaurant Conference Hall, Lugogo.

National Council of Sports (NCS) is in the final stages of passing a comprehensive funding policy that will guide government’s contribution towards national associations and federations.

The revelation was made by the Acting General Secretary Dr. Patrick Bernard Ogwel during the first Minister’s Forum that is mandated the statutory instrument passed in 2014.

The state minister for sports, Hon. Charles Bakkabulindi, also the chairman of the forum, opened and closed the forum that lasted the greater part of Tuesday.

Pursuant to Regulation 17 of the NCS Statutory Instruments of 2014 https://www.ncs.go.ug/files/NCS%20STATUTORY%20INSTRUMENT%202014.pdf , National Council of Sports convened the first ever National Sports Associations/Federations Forum at NCS Headquarters, Lugogo on the 28th May 2019. In attendance were leaders of National Sports Associations/ Federations, NCS Council Members, Journalists and was chaired by the Honorable Minister of State for Sports, Charles Bakkabulindi. 

The week ending 25th May 2019, had Jacob Kiplimo win the 10km Great Manchester Run in UK as the major highlight plus Winnie Nanyondo broke the Uganda National 1500m Women's record after running 4:01.39 to finish third at the Shanghai Diamond League in China. The wins come at the most opportune time for ugandan athletes as IAAF granted Uganda world ranking status to two of its national track and filed championships. The Annual Akii Bua Memorial Championships and the National Athletics Championships get the status of ranked invitational meets starting 1st June 2019.