Badminton Uganda Targets Nationwide Coverage After Eastern Region Success
By Kayiira Jackson
The Badminton Uganda grassroots development programme has continued to gather momentum after successfully engaging over 150 schools across seven districts in Eastern and Far Eastern Uganda.
The two-week outreach initiative, which climaxed over the weekend at Kaliro Vocational School in Kaliro District, targeted both students and teachers with the aim of introducing and revitalizing badminton at the grassroots level.
Speaking during the closing activities, Badminton Uganda Chief Executive Officer Simon Mugabi expressed satisfaction with the turnout and impact of the programme.
“We are optimistic this is a good number where various students are going to be able to learn the game of badminton and, of course, compete among the districts,” Mugabi noted.
The programme covered seven districts—Ngora, Kumi, Bukedea, Butebo, Butaleja, Pallisa, and Kaliro—marking the second phase of the federation’s nationwide expansion strategy.
Mugabi revealed that the initiative is part of a broader effort to revive the sport in regions where it has existed but remained inactive.
“Badminton has been in these regions but dormant, so we had to reactivate it. The members have been very happy with the programme and eager to push it forward. Even the community is embracing it as a way to stay healthy,” he added.
Despite the success, Mugabi acknowledged several challenges hindering the sport’s growth, particularly the lack of proper indoor facilities and limited equipment.
“The biggest challenge is that many districts do not have venues. Badminton is an indoor sport, and playing it outdoors affects accuracy. There is also a shortage of equipment, although we have tried to distribute what we could despite being overwhelmed by demand,” he explained.
Looking ahead, the federation plans to roll out a technical programme aimed at equipping districts with officiating skills to independently manage competitions.
The nationwide expansion is also aligned with the requirements of Uganda’s new sports regulatory framework under the Sports Act 2023, which mandates federations to have a presence in at least 51 districts for certification.
Mugabi confirmed that the next phase of the programme will extend to Northern Uganda, West Nile, and Rukiga in Western Uganda as the federation pushes toward nationwide coverage.
Participants, including teachers and students, welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm and pledged to promote the sport within their communities.
Namwase Oliver, a games teacher at Dr. Fola Memorial College School in Kaliro District, described the experience as transformative.
“I am very happy about this game. I didn’t know much about it before, but the trainers made it simple and enjoyable. When I return to school, I will teach it to the learners and even the staff. I believe they will love it,” she said.
The outreach underscores Badminton Uganda’s commitment to grassroots development as it seeks to build a strong foundation for the sport across the country.