“Some Are Village, Not National Federations” – Ogwel Warns as NCS Cracks Down on Non-Compliant Sports Bodies
By Kayiira Jackson
The National Council of Sports (NCS) has issued a stern warning to sports federations and associations that have failed to meet registration requirements under the National Sports Act, declaring that several bodies do not qualify to be called “national” federations.
Speaking during a press briefing held on Friday at the NCS headquarters in Lugogo, Kampala, NCS General Secretary Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel gave an update on the ongoing registration and compliance process in line with the National Sports Act CAP 151 and the National Sports Regulations 2025.
Dr Ogwel revealed that since President Yoweri Museveni assented to the new National Sports Act in 2023, the Council has faced four major challenges in registering federations: widespread non-compliance, limited institutional capacity, delayed and incomplete submissions, and persistent governance and internal disputes.
“Besides the Central Region, very few districts can mention more than five sports disciplines,” Ogwel said. “From our evaluation and monitoring across the 146 districts, we have discovered that some federations should not even be called national federations — maybe village federations — because they operate only in specific areas.”
He challenged federations to account for their structures and grassroots presence.
“Ask the federations what structures they use to promote the sport,” Ogwel noted, questioning their national reach and operational credibility.
Ogwel further warned that by June 2026, only compliant federations will be gazetted, while those that fail to meet the legal requirements within the stipulated time will have their applications rejected and certificates revoked.
“By June 2026, we shall gazette the federations that qualify. Those that fail to comply will automatically be rejected and their certificates revoked,” he cautioned.
The NCS General Secretary also criticised federations accused of fabricating accountability documents without conducting real activities on the ground.
“Most federations don’t do activities. They produce manufactured accountabilities and documents from Nasser Road. Many are simply not on the ground,” Ogwel said.
He emphasised that government support to sports federations remains intact, citing ongoing investment in sports infrastructure across the country.
“Right now, we have money. At least every region shall have a 25,000-seater stadium,” Ogwel said. “Government is doing its part by providing infrastructure. The question is: what about the federations?”
Ogwel concluded by reiterating that enforcement of the law is unavoidable.
“We are going to close federations that do not meet the requirements. The law is already in place. We don’t have powers to change it — we are only implementing it.”
For starters, 45 federations/associations out of the 51 submitted their application before the deadline last year.