National Sports Act, 2023

Section Commencement Section The Minister shall, by statutory instrument, commence section 7 on a date to be specified in the statutory instrument.

Section Object of Act Section The object of this Act is to promote recreation and sports for the citizens of Uganda by the State, in accordance with Article 8A of the Constitution and National Objective and Directive Principle of State Policy XVII by— In accordance with subsection (1) , Government shall— consolidating the law relating to the registration and regulation of national sports associations and national sports federations; promoting amateur and professional sports ; codifying the obligations of Uganda under international sports governing statutes; providing for sports disputes resolution mechanisms; and promoting the participation of schools and institutions of higher learning in sports . coordinate sports activities at the national level; prescribe the standards to guide the sports industry in Uganda; support capacity building of the human resource engaged in sports ; and facilitate the activities of national teams and national athletes representing Uganda in international sports competitions.

Section Interpretation Section In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires— “ agent ” means a person who represents an athlete under a professional contract; “ amateur sport ” means an activity involving physical exertion or skill in which an individual or team competes against another for pleasure as a pastime event or for recreational or health purposes or as training to become professional; “ athlete ” means a person who participates in a sports event or a sports competition organised by a national sports association or a national sports federation , or regulated by an international sports governing body; “ beneficial owner ” means a natural person who ultimately owns or controls a national sports association or a national sports federation or the natural person on whose behalf a transaction is conducted in the national sports association or national sports federation , and includes a natural person who exercises ultimate control over a national sports association or a national sports federation ; “ Board ” means the Board established under section 32 ; “ commercial right ” means a right of a commercial nature, connected with a sports event such as image rights, audio-vis...

Section Organisation of sports at national and international levels Section Sports and sports competitions at the national level, in Uganda, shall be organised through national sports associations and national sports federations. Uganda shall be represented at international sports competitions and events by athletes and national teams identified and promoted by the national sports associations and national sports federations and supported by the Government.

Section National Recognition and Reward Scheme Section There is established the National Recognition and Reward Scheme which shall be a scheme of Government to recognise and award outstanding and deserving sports personalities who bring honour to Uganda. The Minister may, by statutory instrument, in consultation with the Minister responsible for finance and the Minister responsible for public service, prescribe the awards, including monetary payments, pension and gratuity that may be awarded to the sports personalities under the National Recognition and Reward Scheme established under subsection (1) .

Section Eligibility for registration as national sports federation Section A national sports federation that wishes to be registered as such shall be engaged in a sports discipline with a national character and for this purpose shall be a sports activity— with the participation of Ugandans in at least seventy-five percent of all the districts of Uganda; and whose leadership is elected by an annual general assembly comprised of persons drawn from at least half of the districts of Uganda.

Section Application for registration Section An application for registration as a national sports association or a national sports federation under subsection (1) shall include— An application for registration under this section shall be accompanied by— A national sports association or a national sports federation eligible for registration under section 9 or 10 , may apply to the Council for registration in the manner prescribed by regulations made under this Act and on payment of the prescribed application fee. the name and address of the applicant national sports association or national sports federation ; the leadership and governance structure of the applicant national sports association or national sports federation ; the sources of the funds of the applicant national sports association or national sports federation ; the name and address of the accounting officer of the applicant national sports association or national sports federation ; the sports discipline the applicant national sports association or national sports federation intends to manage; the symbols, slogans and colours of the applicant national sports association or national sports federation ; the national and i...

Section Consideration of application Section The Council shall— The Council may reject an application for registration as a national sports association or a national sports federation , where— publish an application made under section 11 in the Gazette and in a media of wide circulation; and invite objections to the application from the public. An objection made under this section shall be handled in a manner prescribed by regulations. there is already in existence, a national sports association or a national sports federation responsible for the proposed sports discipline; the applicant is not eligible for registration as a national sports association or a national sports federation under section 9 or 10 ; the proposed name ofthe applicant is misleading or discriminatory; or the applicant national sports association or national sports federation submitted false information in the application. Where the Council rejects an application for registration, the Council shall notify the applicant, in writing, stating the reasons for the rejection and shall give the applicant an opportunity to be heard.

Section Registration of national sports associations and national sports federations Section The Council shall, upon satisfaction that an applicant national sports association or national sports federation meets the requirements for registration under this Act, register the national sports association or the national sports federation and issue it with a certificate of registration in the prescribed form. A certificate of registration may contain such terms and conditions as the Council may prescribe and shall be conclusive evidence of authorisation to operate as a national sports association or a national sports federation within Uganda. A certificate of registration issued under this section shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance.

Section Renewal of certificate of registration Section A national sports association or national sports federation which wishes to renew its certificate of registration may apply to the Council for renewal. Sections 9 , 10 , 11 and 12 shall apply to the renewal of a certificate of registration.

Section Cancellation of certificate of registration Section The Council may cancel a certificate of registration issued under this Act where the Council is satisfied that— the national sports association or the national sports federation has violated the terms or conditions of the certificate of registration; the national sports association or the national sports federation no longer meets the requirements for registration as a national sports association or a national sports federation ; the national sports association or the national sports federation has breached the provisions of this Act or any other law; the registration was procured through misrepresentation or non­disclosure of material facts; the national sports association or the national sports federation is no longer recognised by the international sports governing body to which the national sports association or the national sports federation is affiliated; the national sports association or the national sports federation no longer serves the purpose for which it was registered; or the national sports association or the national sports federation is insolvent. The Council shall, before cancelling the certificate of reg...

Section Functions of national sports associations and national sports federations Section A national sports association or a national sports federation shall, for the sports discipline for which it is registered— In performing its functions, a national sports association or a national sports federation shall— for team sports , develop, promote and manage sports clubs and teams of the sports discipline of the national sports association or the national sports federation ; for individual sports , develop, promote and manage the athletes of the sports discipline of the national sports association or the national sports federation ; promote and coordinate the activities of the sports clubs and teams and for individual sports , the athletes of the national sports association or the national sports federation ; in the case of a national sports federation , develop and promote amateur and professional sports ; in the case of a national sports association , develop and promote amateur sport ; organise and manage national sports competitions for the sports discipline of the national sports association or the national sports federation ; train the athletes to constitute national teams to rep...

Section Independence of national sports associations and national sports federations Section A national sports association and a national sports federation shall be independent in the— performance of its functions, duties and in the exercise of its powers; and interpretation and application of the statutes and regulations of the sports discipline as set by the respective international governing body. Notwithstanding subsection (1) , the Council may, by notice in writing, give to a national sports association or a national sports federation , directions consistent with the applicable law, the rules of the sports discipline developed by the respective international governing body and best sports practices to ensure proper administration and management of the national sports association or the national sports federation .

Section International affiliation of national sports associations and national sports federations Section A national sports association or a national sports federation may, in accordance with this Act, affiliate with an international sports governing body responsible for the relevant sports discipline. For the avoidance of doubt, a national sports association or a national sports federation that is affiliated to an international sports governing body shall, in accordance with this Act, continue to be affiliated to that international sports governing body. For purposes of affiliating to an international sports governing body, the certificate of registration issued to a national sports association or a national sports federation shall, in addition to other requirements that may be prescribed by the Minister , by regulations, be required and shall be submitted prior to approval of affiliation by the Council , where applicable. The interpretation and application of this Act shall recognise the provisions of the statutes and regulations of the international sports governing body to which a national sports association or a national sports federation is affiliated.

Section Management of sports teams and athletes in international sports competitions Section Without limiting the general effect of subsection (2) , a national sports association or a national sports federation shall— A national sports association or a national sports federation shall constitute a national team for the respective sports discipline. A national sports association or a national sports federation shall be responsible for developing, selecting, summoning and managing the national team or the representative team for the respective sports discipline. A national sports association or a national sports federation shall regulate the management of the national team and the representative team for the respective sports discipline. be responsible for selecting the national team of the sports discipline; facilitate the preparation and the participation of the national team and the national representative team in international sports events and competitions; finance the national team and the national representative team participating in international sports competitions and events; mobilise, solicit and manage the funds of the national team of the sports discipline, including fun...

Section Register of national sports associations and national sports federations Section The Council shall maintain a register of the national sports associations and the national sports federations that are registered under this Part. A national sports association or a national sports federation whose certificate of registration is cancelled shall be removed from the register. A national sports association or a national sports federation shall in writing, notify the Council of any changes in the information in the register, within twenty-one days of the change. The register shall be in a format prescribed by regulations made under this Act. The register may be open to inspection by the public, on payment of fees as may be prescribed.

Section Participation in sports competition outside Uganda Section A national sports association or a national sports federation which intends to— participate in a sports competition outside Uganda; enter or send the national team of the sports discipline, a representative team or individual athletes to an international sports competition; hire an expatriate to undertake any activity on behalf of the national sports association or the national sports federation or the national team of the sports discipline; or be affiliated to an international sport governing body for the respective sports discipline,

Section Annual financial report of national sports associations and national sports federations Section A national sports association or a national sports federation shall, within four months after the end of each financial year of the national sports association or the national sports federation , submit to the Council , a financial report of the association or federation which shall include— The financial report shall be accompanied by— The report of the activities referred to under subsection (1)(c) shall include— the financial statements of the national sports association or the national sports federation , including the audited accounts of the national sports association or the national sports federation ; the estimates of revenue and expenditure of the national sports association or the national sports federation for the proceeding financial year; and a report of the activities of the national sports association or the national sports federation conducted in the financial year. the minutes of the annual general assembly of the national sports association or the national sports federation ; a copy of the amendment to the constitution of the national sports association or the n...

Section Certification of agents, promoters and managers of athletes Section A person who seeks to be an agent , a promoter or a manager of an athlete shall be certified by the respective national sports association or national sports federation of the athlete . An agent , a promoter or a manager of an athlete shall enter into a management contract with the athlete which shall be registered with a national sports association or a national sports federation . A national sports association or a national sports federation shall transmit to the Council for registration, the list of agents, promoters and managers of athletes it certifies under subsection (1) . The Minister shall, by statutory instrument, prescribe for the certification of agents, promoters and managers and prescribe the contents of management contracts of agents, promoters and managers of athletes.

Section Register of beneficial owners Section A national sports association or a national sports federation with beneficial owners shall keep a register of its beneficial owners and shall enter in the register the following particulars— The register of beneficial owners shall be kept at the registered office of the national sports association or the national sports federation except that— the names and postal addresses of each beneficial owner ; the national identification numbers of the beneficial owner ; the date on which each beneficial owner was entered in the register as a beneficial owner ; the date on which any person ceased to be a beneficial owner ; and any other information as the Minister may prescribe by regulations. if entry of beneficial owners in the register is done at another office of the national sports association or the national sports federation , the register may be kept at that other office; and if the national sports association or the national sports federation arranges with some other person to make entries in the register on behalf of the national sports association or the national sports federation , the register may be kept at the office of that person...

Section Dissolution of national sports associations and national sports federations Section A national sports association or a national sports federation may be dissolved by the Council where— the activities of the national sports association or the national sports federation contravene any of the provisions of this Act or any other law; or the national sports association or the national sports federation has acted against the security, unity and territorial integrity of Uganda. Notwithstanding subsection (1) , the members of a national sports association or a national sports federation may voluntarily dissolve the national sports association or the national sports federation , in accordance with the constitution of the national sports association or the national sports federation . A national sports association or a national sports federation shall, in writing and within seven days of making the decision to dissolve a national sports association or a national sports federation , notify the Council . The Council may, upon receipt of the notice referred to in subsection (3) , issue a certificate of dissolution to the respective national sports association or national sports federati...

Section Community sports clubs Section A community sports club registered under this Act shall, on registration, be a body corporate with perpetual succession and may, in its corporate name, for and in connection with its functions under this Act— The Minister shall, by statutory instrument, make regulations to prescribe— A person who wishes to register a community sports club shall apply to the Council for a certificate of registration. acquire, hold and dispose of movable and immovable property; sue or be sued; and do all such other acts and things for the proper discharge of its functions as may lawfully be done by a body corporate. the application procedures and requirements for a community sports club; criteria for registration of a community sports club; deregistration of a community sports club; matters relating to dissolution of a community sports club; and other matters required to be prescribed for purposes of giving effect to the operation and administration of community sports clubs.

Section Declaration of national sport Section The application referred to in subsection (1) shall— The Council shall, in determining whether a sport discipline is eligible for declaration as a national sport, take into account the following— A person who intends to have a sport discipline declared a national sport shall, in the prescribed form, make an application to the Council . be made by a citizen or a person resident in Uganda; and be accompanied by the prescribed fee. The Council may, upon being satisfied that the applicant meets the requirements for the application, declare a sports discipline, a national sport. the nature of the sport; the popularity of the sport; the potential socio-economic impact of the sport; the recognition of the sport by an international sports governing body, where applicable; the presence of sports facilities to be used for the sport; the plan of the applicant to promote the sport in Uganda; and any other factor as the Council may determine. The Council may withdraw the recognition of a sports discipline as a national sport discipline where circumstances occur that would render a sports discipline ineligible for declaration under this section. Notw...

Section National sports association and national sports federation Section A national sports association or a national sports federation registered under this Act shall, on registration, be a body corporate with perpetual succession and may, in its corporate name, for and in connection with its functions under this Act— A national sports association and a national sports federation shall be registered under this Act to manage a sports discipline at national level. There shall be registered only one national sports association or national sports federation for a sports discipline. acquire, hold and dispose of movable and immovable property; sue or be sued; and do all such other acts and things for the proper discharge of its functions as may lawfully be done by a body corporate.

Section Membership of national sports organisations Section Each national sports organisation shall define its membership in its respective constitution.

Section Eligibility for registration as national sports association Section A national sports association that wishes to be registered shall— have a national character and for this purpose shall be a sports activity— be engaged in amateur sports for the sports discipline; with the participation of Ugandans in at least fifty percent of the districts of Uganda; and whose leadership is elected by an annual general assembly comprised of persons drawn from at least fifty percent of the districts of Uganda. The Minister shall, by statutory instrument, make regulations to prescribe procedures for transforming a national sports association to a national sports federation .

Section National Council of Sports Section The Council shall, in its own name, be capable of suing and being sued and may for the discharge of its functions under this Act— The National Council of Sports in existence at the commencement of this Act shall continue in existence, subject to this Act. The National Council of Sports in existence at the commencement of this Act shall administer this Act. The Council shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and shall have an official seal. acquire, hold and dispose of movable and immovable property; and do all acts and things as a body corporate may lawfully do.

Section Official seal of Council Section The official seal of the Council shall be in a form determined by the Board . The official seal shall, when affixed to any document, be authenticated by the signatures of the Chairperson and the secretary of the Board . In the absence of the Chairperson, the person performing the functions of the Chairperson shall authenticate the official seal of the Board . A document purporting to be an instrument or contract executed or issued by or on behalf of the Council in accordance with this section shall be considered to be so executed or issued until the contrary is proved.

Section Functions of Council Section The Council shall— recognise a sports discipline as a national sports discipline; register national sports organisations; promote and regulate the activities of national sports associations and national sports federations and where necessary, award medals, certificates of recognition, trophies and other incentives; in collaboration with the national sports associations, national sports federations, local governments, educational institutions, communities and the private sector, as may be applicable— make provisions for sports facilities, equipment and training; promote sportsmanship by searching for, identifying and developing sporting talent and ensuring discipline among sports persons; create public awareness on matters of national interest through sporting events and on the benefits of sports to health; organise sports clinics and provide advisory and counselling services to athletes; develop, manage, operate and maintain the public sports facilities vested in the Council under this Act; establish, operate and maintain sports museums; approve the expenditure by national sports associations and national sports federations of funds and grants r...

Section Directions by Minister Section The Minister may, in writing, give directions to the Council with respect to the policy to be implemented by the Council .

Section Supervision of national sports associations and national sports federations Section For the purposes of subsection (1) , the Council may— The Council shall supervise the national sports associations and the national sports federations. inspect the offices and facilities of a national sports association or a national sports federation or appoint a person to inspect the offices and facilities on its behalf; and undertake or cause an audit of the books of accounts and records of a national sports association or a national sports federation . The Council shall, every year, conduct a compliance test on a national sports association or a national sports federation to examine the compliance of the national sports association or the national sports federation with this Act and the constitution of the national sports association or the national sports federation . The Council may appoint a person to conduct the compliance test on behalf of the Council . A national sports association or a national sports federation shall cooperate with the Council or a person appointed by the Council under subsection (4) . A national sports association or a national sports federation shall, within on...

Section Board of Council Section The Board shall comprise of— The Minister shall, in appointing members of the Board , take into consideration the following— The Council shall have a Board which shall be the governing body of the Council . The Board shall consist of seven members appointed by the Minister . The Minister shall appoint a chairperson of the Board from among the members of the Board . a representative of the Ministry responsible for sports ; two persons who shall be representatives of all traditional regions of Uganda specified in the First Schedule of the Constitution ; a representative of national sports associations or national sports federations; a representative of athletes; a representative of the private sector; and a person with knowledge and experience in sports administration. interests of the sports sector; stakeholders of the sports sector; persons with disability; and gender balance. In this section, “representative” means a person appointed by the Minister to be a member of the Board to represent the stakeholders referred to in subsection (4)(a) , (b) , (c) , (d) and (e) .

Section Tenure of office of member of Board Section A member of the Board shall hold office for four years and is eligible for re-appointment for one further term. A member of the Board shall hold office on terms and conditions specified in his or her instrument of appointment. A vacancy on the Board shall be filled within ninety days, using the procedure prescribed by regulations made under this Act. The Minister shall, in prescribing the procedure for filling the vacancy under subsection (3) , provide that a person appointed to fill the existing vacancy serves for a term of four years and is eligible for re­appointment in accordance with subsection (1) .

Section Termination of appointment to Board Section The Minister may terminate the appointment of a member of the Board — A member of the Board may, at any time, resign his or her office by giving notice of thirty days in writing to the Minister . if information relating to the conduct of the member, which could have precluded his or her appointment, is brought to the attention of the Minister ; for incompetence; for misbehaviour or misconduct; for abuse of office; for failure to disclose, at a Board meeting, a matter in which he or she has a personal interest; where the member is not able to perform the functions of his or her office arising from infirmity of body or mind, as may be ascertained by a medical officer; where the member is convicted of an offence and is sentenced to imprisonment for a term of six months or more by a competent court; where the member is declared bankrupt by a competent court; or where the member, without prior notice to the Chairperson of the Board , is absent for four consecutive meetings of the Board , without sufficient cause. The Minister shall, before terminating a member of the Board under subsection (2)(a) , (b) , (c) , (d) , (e) , (f) or (i) ,...

Section Remuneration of members of Board Section The Chairperson and the members of the Board shall be paid such remuneration as the Minister may, in consultation with the Minister responsible for finance and the Minister responsible for public service, specify in the instruments of appointment.

Section Meetings of Board Section Schedule 3 to this Act shall have effect in relation to the meetings of the Board and other matters provided for in that Schedule.

Section Committees of Board Section The Board may constitute a committee to advise it on any matter concerning the functions of the Board , as the Board may determine. The Board shall determine the terms of reference of a committee and the composition of a committee, and in consultation with the Minister responsible for finance and the Minister responsible for public service, the terms and conditions of service of a member of a committee.

Section Secretariat of Council Section There shall be a secretariat of the Council headed by the General Secretary. The Secretariat shall, under the direction and supervision of the Board , perform the functions of the Council , specified in section 29 .

Section General Secretary Section The Board may remove the General Secretary from office— The General Secretary shall be appointed by the Board on such terms and conditions as may be specified in the instrument of appointment. Notwithstanding subsection (1) , the General Secretary shall hold office for five years and is eligible for re-appointment for one further term. The General Secretary shall be the accounting officer of the Council . The General Secretary shall be a person of high moral character and proven integrity with knowledge and experience in sports science, law, sports administration, social sciences, humanities, development studies or public administration. The General Secretary shall cease to hold office where he or she resigns his or her office, in writing, addressed to the Chairperson of the Board . where he or she has been declared bankrupt by a competent court; if he or she is convicted of a criminal offence, where the maximum penalty of the offence exceeds six months imprisonment without the option of a fine; for inability to perform the functions of his or her office arising from infirmity of body or mind, as may be ascertained by a medical officer; for abuse o...

Section Functions of General Secretary Section Subject to the general supervision and control of the Board , the General Secretary shall be the chief executive of the Council and shall— oversee the day-to-day operation and administration of the Council ; implement the policies and programmes of the Board and the agreed objectives, performance targets and service standards agreed upon by the Board ; manage the assets and liabilities of the Council ; advise the Board on matters relating to sports and the functions of the Council ; administer, supervise and exercise disciplinary control over the staff of the Council ; keep the records of all transactions of the Council ; keep the minutes of meetings and other records of the Board ; liaise with the relevant national sports associations or national sports federations with a view of implementing the functions of the Council and promoting sports in Uganda; and perform any other function necessary for the proper implementation of this Act or as may be assigned by the Board . The General Secretary shall, in the performance of his or her functions, be answerable to the Board .

Section Other officers and staff of Council Section The Board may, on the advice of the General Secretary, appoint other officers and staff of the Council . An officer or staff appointed under this section shall hold office on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board and as may be specified in his or her instruments of appointment.

Section Funds of Council Section The funds of the Council shall consist of— money appropriated by Parliament; and grants and donations from the Government, or with the approval of the Minister and the Minister responsible for finance from any other source.

Section Audit Section The Auditor General or an auditor appointed by the Auditor General shall, in each financial year, audit the accounts of the Council .

Section Annual report and other reports Section The Board shall, within three months after the end of each financial year, submit to the Minister , a statement of the activities of the Council of the preceding financial year. The Board shall, as may be requested, submit to the Minister , such other reports on its activities or on any other matter. The Minister shall, within two months after the receipt of the annual report, submit the annual report to Parliament with any statement which he or she considers necessary.

Section Compliance with Public Finance Management Act Section The Council shall at all times comply with the Public Finance Management Act.

Section Arbitrators Section A person shall not be qualified to be appointed an arbitrator under subsection (1) unless the person— A person shall not be appointed as an arbitrator if the person— The Minister may remove an arbitrator for— The settlement of sports disputes shall be by arbitrators who shall be appointed under this Part. The Minister shall appoint arbitrators from nominations made by the Council and each national sports association and national sports federation . The parties to a sports dispute may choose at least three arbitrators from the list of arbitrators appointed under subsection (2) . For the avoidance of doubt, the number of arbitrators chosen by the parties shall be an odd number. The Minister shall update the list of arbitrators once every two years. is an advocate of the High Court; or has worked with a national sports association or a national sports federation for at least three years. has been convicted of an offence under this Act; has been declared bankrupt by a competent court; or has been banned by a national sports association or a national sports federation for a period of more than three years. inability to perform his or her functions arising fro...

Section Cost of arbitration Section Each party to a sports dispute shall bear the cost it incurs during arbitration. Notwithstanding subsection (1) , every national sports association and a national sports federation shall pay an annual arbitration fee to the Council . The Minister may, by statutory instrument, prescribe the amount of the annual arbitration fee referred to in subsection (2) . The Council shall apply the annual arbitration fees referred to in subsection (2) to offset the costs incurred during arbitration.

Section Arbitration to be provided in constitutions Section There shall be a provision in the constitution of every national sports association and national sports federation — recognising the jurisdiction of arbitrators appointed under this Part and obligating the settlement of sports disputes between the national sports association or national sports federation and its members or the Council ; recognising the decision of the arbitrators as final; obligating the national sports association or the national sports federation and its members to respect and comply with the decision of the arbitrators; and prohibiting the settlement of sports disputes between a national sports association or a national sports federation and its members by courts of judicature, including the interpretation and application of the constitution and regulations of the national sports association or the national sports federation . A constitution of a national sports association or a national sports federation that deviates from or does not include provision for the matters referred to in subsection (1) shall be null and void. The Council shall not register a national sports association or a national sports...

Section Application of Arbitration and Conciliation Act Section For purposes of arbitration in respect of a matter which this Part has not expressly made provision, the Arbitration and Conciliation Act shall apply with necessary modifications.

Section Authorised sports activities for schools and institutions of higher learning Section The Council shall, with the approval of the Ministry and in consultation with the Ministry responsible for health, authorise the sports activities in which pupils and students in schools and institutions of higher learning may participate. A school and an institution of higher learning shall offer at least fifteen sports activities for the pupils or students, which shall be sports activities authorised by the Council under subsection (1) .