Parliament has granted leave to Moses Magogo (Budiope East) to introduce a Private Member’s Bill entitled, the National Sports Bill, which will regulate the operation and administration of national sports associations, federations and community sports clubs.
Magogo who also doubles as President of Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) is proposing to dissolve the National Council of Sports and reconstitute a new sports agency known as Uganda Sports Commission.
He defended his controversial legislation arguing that the lack of a single piece of legislation governing the incorporation and operation of national sports associations and sports clubs has resulted in governance and administration challenges littered in sports fraternity.
“The 1964 National Council of Sports Act is obsolete in comparison with modern trends and demands of international sports. There is need to enact legislation to streamline the incorporation, registration, management and recognition of sports associations and sports clubs as well as national sports associations in order to achieve the objectives of their creation,” said Magogo.
Magogo further defended his proposal arguing that once leave of Parliament is granted, the bill will provide for the creation of a Sports Fund to provide a predictable and sustainable means of funding national sports in the country, as well as creation of a tribunal to settle sports disputes.
The FUFA President also said the Bill will also recommend prohibitions on vices in sports administration like doping, manipulation of sports results, unauthorized use of sports results in betting as well as abuse of commercial rights of national sports associations and federations.
He said that the National Sports Bill has been drafted in accordance with the rules and it will be presented to Parliament as an action to repeal the 1964 National Council of Sports Act. It will enable Uganda to harness the available opportunities in local and international sports.
Sarah Opendi (Tororo DWR) seconded the motion saying that sports can support youths, who are a majority in Uganda, with employment, as well as support the national health goal of improved lifestyle and wellness and this reality can only be achieved by updating the 1964 legal regime on sports in Uganda, which is currently out of touch with global sports trends.
She added that the new Bill will open up new avenues of funding the different sports activities, citing an example of other nations that place a levy on different items that can go into funding sports.
“We cannot wait for a policy on sports that is not coming, so I propose we move on with the Bill,” said Opendi.
Geoffrey Kayemba Ssolo (Bukomansimbi South) in backing the legislation said that the introduction of a Court of Arbitration for sports under the new Bill will improve the spirit of sportsmanship and curb unnecessary court appeals.
When Deputy Speaker Among put a question to Parliament whether Magogo should be granted leave, he received overwhelming support, paving way for him to embark on the process of drafting the legislation.
