On his aggressive move of streamlining sports subsector in Uganda, the State Minister for Sports, Hon Peter Ogwang on Wednesday at Lugogo met the district Sports offices with aim of having a discussion with them and find out their challenges.
At the meeting held at Cupper Chimney Restaurant Lugogo, Minister met at least 121 district Sports officers who addressed him with a number of challenges they face while leading the development of sports in their home districts.
Mustapha Nsubuga, the chairman of the National Sports Officers Association (NASOA) outlined several challenges that they encompass in the execution of their duties at hand.
These challenges, according to Nsubuga, some of the challenges entail lack of promotional opportunities in service, no defined grant for sports at Local Government, salary regularization, lack of recruitment of sports officers in some Local Governments, the non-functional district sports councils, challenging transport means, limited equipment, appalling facilities and lack of capacity building for sports officers.
“I suggest that government increases on the budget because what we have can’t help, the development needs when you have the facilities but most of sports grounds were sold to investors, we end up having no area where we can develop the talents from. Let the local government secure land titles for the sports grounds. ” Nsubuga hopes.
Several sports officers were also granted opportunities to exchange their ideas and views, as others shared experiences and challenges at work stations.
In his reply, the minister had this to comment.
“It all starts with the mind-set change. I salute you for the work well done over the years. I will organize a mega retreat at Kyakwanzi and sub-regional training. I warn the sports officers against misappropriation of funds. We need to define the methods of work. For challenges of transport, I will work with concerned authorities to secure at least a motor-cycle per officer.”Hon. Peter Ogwang, State Minister of Sports
The meeting was also attended by National Council of Sports Chairperson, Ambrose Tashobya, Commissioner from Education Ministry, Rev. Duncans Mugumya and other officials from NCS.