Category: Opinion

Dear fellow countrymen,

It is an honour and privilege for me to be spearheading the process of creating a modern-day sports law in Uganda.

Sport over the years has transformed from being a mere recreational and social activity to a socio-economic transformation game changer.

In addition to the inherent health and social values of sport, modern sport has become a;

1. Major employer of youths (educated and uneducated)
2. Tax revenue base
3. Huge advertising platform for countries and brands
4. Forex earner
5. Mobilization tool for communities
6. Tourist activity
7. Patriotic and unifier activity for countries

Currently the International Sports economy is over 600bn USD rated ahead of the aviation industry and Uganda is not partaking yet we have demonstrated that we are abundantly endowed with raw untapped sporting talent.

The Challenges

The Uganda Sports Subsector has previously been regulated by a law that was enacted in 1964 thus “The National Council of Sports Act, Cap. 48”. This law has since become obsolete and cannot regulate Modern-day Sport.

Many commonwealth countries that had a similar sports law have since enacted new laws.

The limitations caused by the lack of the proper legal regime has not helped to harness the potential of Uganda Sports Resource into a productive industry.

The objectives of "The National Sports Bill" include;1. Recognize, register & incorporate national sports organisations & community clubs,2- Governance, Management, Administration, Promotion, Development & Protection of amateur and professional sport among others @Parliament_Ug pic.twitter.com/VeNrPJH3Sq

— Moses Hassim Magogo (@MosesMagogo) November 30, 2021

The Justification:

The 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (Amended) requires the state to promote recreation and sports for the citizens of Uganda as stated in the National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy (XVII).

Furthermore, Uganda is a member of the United Nations and the African Union where resolutions have been passed declaring;

1. Sport as a means to promote health, education, development and peace
2. The independence of Sport and the Olympic Charter
3. Sport as an enabler for socio-economic transformation of societies

The African Union recognizes Sport as an element of culture and a major contributor in human development and strengthening national cohesion and rapprochement of people.

In order to;

1. Fulfill the constitutional obligation of the government to the citizens
2. Implement the international organizations’ resolutions,
3. Unlock the sleeping potential of Ugandan Sports to the world
4. Provide socio-economic opportunities to the youths

The state has three (3) major roles to play thus;

1. Funding the identification, development, preparation, presentation and rewarding of sports teams and athletes representing Uganda in international sports competitions.

• Provision of the prerequisite sporting infrastructure

• Legislation of modern laws and policies to support sports activities and persons

In order to provide the resources for activities and of infrastructure and for funding, it is imperative to have the prerequisite regulatory framework

It is the constitutional obligation of the Parliament of Uganda to make laws that create an environment for achieving these objectives.

Objectives of the Bill

The National Sports Bill is also intended to address the challenges that are holding back the potential of Ugandan Sport in the world domain and harness the opportunities available

The objectives of this National Sports Bill include;

1. To recognise, register and incorporate of the National Sports Organisations and Community Sports Clubs

• To solidify the governance, management, development, promotion and protection of amateur, recreational and professional sports

• To codify the obligations of the State under international sports governing statutes

• To among other vices, prevent match fixing, corruption, illegal manipulation and illegal betting in sports. The sports organisations have no resources, expertise and tools to investigate and bring to book such sophisticated offenders

• To encourage and promote drug-free sports;

• To protect the commercial rights emanating from sports events and competitions. The beneficiaries (player and sports bodies) of these rights are not protected as individuals benefit in the trade

• To provide a national sport dispute resolution and arbitration mechanism allowable by international sports governing statutes

• To provide, maintain and protect sports infrastructure for national and international sports competitions

• To install free, fair and transparent system of rewarding National Associations, Teams and individual persons for international sports excellence

1. To provide for related matters.

Why now?

It is a unanimous call by the public to create a modern-day sports law and at the beginning of the 10^th Parliament, the Physical Activity and Sports (PAS) Bill was one of the listed intended laws to be enacted and 5 years later the law has not been enacted

There has been the explanation given of the lack of the Sports Policy onto which to base to draft the bill but this was overtaken by events when on the 25^th September 2013, Cabinet resolved as indicated in minute 333 (CT 2013) that the Physical and Sports Activity Bill be presented to parliament for consideration with stipulated principles.

The Private Members’ Bill is intended to be presented within the same principles as resolved by cabinet.

Way Forward:

The National Sports Bill is intended to be presented to Parliament for consideration as an action to:

1. Repeal “The 1964 National Council of Sports Act, Cap. 48”

• Replace it with “The 2022 National Sports Act” once the bill is assented to into law.

This is going to be a long process but the first step has been taken when the Parliament of Uganda granted me leave of the house to introduce a private member’s bill entitled “the national sports bill”. Next shall be the first, second and third reading of the Bill.

Along the way, there shall be obtaining the certificate of financial implications, engagement with the committee of Parliament on Education & Sports and there will be bench-marking and wide consultations with the various stakeholders and the general public in the formulation of this law.

It is only until HE the President assents to the bill that the proposed National Sports Law will come into force.

My assurance to the sports fraternity and general public is that it is a huge task but one I am passionate to undertake.

While undertaking this task, I will evoke my experience as a multidiscipline athlete, vastly experienced international sports administrator and a FIFA Trained Football management and administration instructor.

In my opinion, it is the right moment and the opportunity is now when I also serve as a Member of Parliament entitled to raise a Private Member’ Bill.

This is a generation call that we must all support.

Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim

President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA)

Member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF)Executive Committee

Member of Parliament-Budiope East

Dear VMT’s,

I have the honour to thank everyone working for the return of Sports Club Villa to where it belongs.

We are not just record champions and Uganda’s most successful football club but we belong to the elite clubs of Africa.

This is what differentiates us from the rest of the Ugandan Football Clubs

Vipers SC and Express FC currently have stability because they have individuals financing the clubs while KCCA FC and URA FC are dependent on the institutions behind them.

The reality is these models are not sustainable as we have seen many big clubs collapse with demise or departure or loss of interest of individuals or the parent institutions.

The living examples are Nalubaale FC, Villa International, Umeme, Coffee etc.

My prayer is that this does not happen soon as the strength of Sports Clubs Villa is based on the strength of the competitor Clubs and that these clubs learn from the realities that Sports Club Villa is going through.

As Sports Club Villa, we must identify our competitive advantages over other clubs. It is the rich history and the multitude of passionate fans.

This is why I have since 2001 in writing been advocating for creating a true community club.

There are many successful model community clubs in the World such as Al Ahly (Egypt), Real Madrid (Spain), Barcelona (Spain). They depend on numbers to be both the richest and most successful sporting clubs in the world

Our current effort is to install a true community football club independent of individuals but dependent on millions of members who are the fans.

No one should mistake our difference in opinion of direction as fighting. We respect each other and we sometimes disagree with respect and in principle not being personal

The good news is, it was resolved that by the Sports Club Villa Congress that sat at Serena-Kigo on 23rd October 2021 that by 13th November 2021, Sports Club Villa will be having an elected Club President and an Executive Board to steer the club forward.

Personally, I am simply a voter and those willing to take leadership it is the time to market your programmes among the VMTs

Ba VMTs the power is in our hands to determine our leadership in the next three (3) weeks and to prove that the fans in their numbers can indeed finance and govern the club to sporting success

God Bless Sports Club Villa
Hon. Eng. Magogo Moses Hassim (VMT/100)
President of FUFA
Executive Committee Member of CAF
Member of Parliament-Budiope East

By FUFA Communications Manager Ahmed Hussein

I will drive slightly my energies this week on the beauty of purchasing and wearing an authentic sports gear-in this case the much cherished Uganda Cranes jersey.

However, first I will drop a line on how the public is being derailed to believe that world over domestic football is firmly in the hands of clubs. Unfortunately that’s not true. Football Associations-in this case FUFA always gets at the forefront to guide and not dictate on how clubs should run their businesses. It is a mindset that will change gradually. Club football is not about an individual’s money but structures. All clubs are allowed to run their businesses freely. However clubs like KCCA FC and Vipers SC have embraced the FUFA Clubs Pro Agenda with success stories to talk about.

FUFA is the sole owner of the Uganda Cranes jersey. Under the Trademarks Act 2010, the federation managed to register its trademarks; FUFA Logo, Federation of Uganda Football Associations and its abbreviation FUFA. The local football clubs have also been encouraged to do so with their trademarks to avoid any future infringements on their logos.

It is illegal for an individual or company to trade using FUFA’s registered trademarks as mentioned without prior permission from the owner for commercial gains. In a bid to protect the Uganda Cranes jersey, FUFA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a reputable kit manufacturer Mafro. They are the sole producers of the Uganda Cranes jerseys. The 8 Main Regional distributors will deal with the sales agents across the country from respective regions to help in selling the jersey. It is paramount for a football fan to know that loyalties from the sales of the Uganda Cranes jerseys will be passed on to the eight (8) Regional Football Associations. This requires for policing by both the football officials, distributors and sales agents at regional level.

There’s no better way to show off your loyalty by wearing an authentic Uganda Cranes jersey that brings you respect and passion for your beloved country. Authentic jerseys are simply priceless. It goes without saying that when you buy an authentic Uganda Cranes soccer jersey, you’re getting something special. Signed or not, the authentic Uganda Cranes jerseys are valuable pieces of wearable history that you will treasure for a lifetime.

However it all starts with the desire to know what one would like to buy. It calls for taste, fashion, passion and the satisfaction derived from wearing the Uganda Cranes jersey.

But why do fans sometimes find themselves buying counterfeit National team jerseys?

I have said it before, and I will say it again (it should be number one among them): in reasons why you should buy authentic soccer jerseys, showcasing your team respect outweighs them all.  Two values are attached to the Uganda Cranes jersey and why you should buy it; The shirt itself and then the FUFA logo embroidered on it hence making it a valuable item.

They may be far from inexpensive, but what the authentic jersey holds in personal value outweighs all other opinions under this conundrum: replica or authentic? The latter is probably something you would much rather not wear, possibly other than for soccer games.

FUFA has finalised plans to stock the FUFA sports shop in Mengo with jerseys bearing names of the past and current generation of Uganda Cranes players. Imagine a fan purchasing a Uganda Cranes jersey with customised names of Majid Musisi, Jackson Mayanja, Denis Onyango, Hakim Magumba, Philip Omondi, Geoffrey Massa, Jimmy Kirunda and many others.

That’s a true fan of the sport and the player himself, knows the ownership of such a jersey is the best way to prove their value to the public.

As FUFA continues to sensitise the football family and other stakeholders on the values of purchasing the authentic Uganda Cranes jerseys from designated selling centres, it is a humble appeal for all to support the cause that will take the football industry to another level.

It is our Game, It is Our Country.

MAIN PHOTO: Graphical representation for the designs of Uganda Cranes jerseys  

Football Elders’ Forum

Imperial Royal Hotel

Saturday 27^th July 2018

FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo and the FUFA Executive met on Saturday afternoon at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala with former football leaders on matters concerning thhe beautiful game in Uganda.

The aim of the FUFA President’s Initiative was to interact, seek counsel, cement the existing relationships with FUFA and the football elders.

During the function Eng. Magogo applauded and commended the football elders for their contribution and support towards the game of football. He admitted that the elders are part of the current success in football.

Eng. Magogo notified the guests that FUFA will invite the football elders annually to share ideas and advocated to maintain the spirit to be part of the Initiative.

FUFA President on the Initiative; 

‘We came up with this initiative to involve you in the planning and development of football. You are part of our success story. Without you we wouldn’t have achieved this success in football. We should make football a family. It should be a game where we enjoy but not a platform to hate and fight. It is not a game for creating enemies. It is a game for friendship and joy. We shall be meeting annually to have your ideas and guidance towards football.  FUFA is open.  We want to listen not only to credits but even criticism. It is what helps us know our weaknesses’

‘FUFA has a lot to work upon but we need your support that is why we decided to come up with this initiative. We are working hard to educate people in football and it is in our plan to have your ideas in the General Assembly. We believe our connection will be growing and getting organized as time comes. People of this forum should be Ambassadors of football in our Country’

Talking on behalf of the elders, Mr. Kwizera Godfrey the former FUFA Vice President admired FUFA for recognizing past football leaders and supported the Initiative. He confirmed that the elders are ready to advise FUFA regarding football matters.

Kwizera Godfrey on the Initiative; 

‘We are glad to be recognised. Football is a family and there is no need to be enemies. We had never had a chance like this. We thank FUFA for the Initiative. Once we meet we discuss a lot of football matters that may develop the game. We are ready to advise FUFA whenever we are invited. We should remain friends and work together for the success of football in Uganda’

Former FUFA President Ben Omoding Senior also had memorable remarks aboout football in Uganda and praised FUFA for the recognition.

‘I have been in football for generations but it is a glorious opportunity to attend such a function. I served football as a player, a coach and an administrator. I am ready to share and discuss football with FUFA’ said Omoding

The former FUFA Spokesperson Rogers Mulindwa thanked the federation for hosting the function and was pleased with the invitation.

‘I feel proud to be recogonised by FUFA and being here will make another journey for developing our own football. Football is for us all. We are ready to serve it whenever you come to us’ noted Mulindwa

Ben  Omoding Snr (R) receives an accolade from FUFA President Eng Moses Magogo at Imperial Royale Hotel

Leaders who attended;

FUFA Excom Members, Uganda Cranes coach Sebastien Desbare, Umar ‘Mandela’ Ahmed, Kwizera Godfrey, Chuni Yusuf, Dr Sekajugo James, Mugabe Franko, Rogers Mulindwa, Livingstone Lajan, Haruna Mawanda, Tushar Ruparellia, Dr. Patrick Bernard Ogwel, Kyeyago Jowali, John Mutenda, Mubarak Abdu, Tumwiine Wilson, Sam Timbe, Mbidde Denis, Deborah Sembatya, John Mutenda, Mark Namanya, Hassan Badru Zziwa, Jimmy Mugunga, Silvano Kibuuka, Sabiiti Muwanga, Fred Sekitto, Mark Ssali, Farouk Lubega, Fred Musisi and David Lumu

When Muhammed Sibomana was informed he was to be the official driver for the Uganda Cranes at the Orange African Nations Championship 2016, in Rwanda, he chest thumped in celebration.

The Ugandan born driver whose experience behind the wheels dates as far back as the last 20 years had a reason to smile.

In an exclusive interview with www.fufa.co.ug, Sibomana said it was his wish to be given Uganda among the 16 countries at the tournament.

“I prayed that they give me Uganda Cranes and my wish was granted. I love Uganda because it is my country of birth.”

Sibomana was born in Kisoro, a place he left in the year 2005 for greener pastures in Rwanda.

“My family still lives in Kisoro. I work in Rwanda and visit them often. I have had a great chance to see the players and coaches of Uganda I normally listen to during matches. My team at the CHAN Tournament is Uganda and I love watching them play”

The father of one daughter and four sons praises his boss, Olivier Nizeyimana, the owner of the Volcano buses, that were hired to offer transport to all the teams and the CHAN 2016 local organizing committee.

“He (Nizeyimana) loves football and owns a team, Rayon Sports. He has been supportive to me ever since I came to Rwanda”

The Uganda Cranes players and the officials all like the driver because he is time cautious, social and hard working. He has always been picking players from Le Belvedere Hotel to training sessions and back on time.