The President of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has assented to the National Sports Bill 2023. The law seeks to see sport in Uganda transition from an amateur to a professional setting.
The bill, first tabled on November 10, 2022, was enacted by Parliament on March 2, 2023. However, the President returned the bill with important amendments.
The President noted that Section 32(2) on the composition of the board should be amended. The board should consist of the chairperson and six other members, including a representative from the ministry responsible for sports and two representatives from any two traditional regions of Uganda.
The other was a representative of the National Sports Association, a representative of the athletes, a representative of the private sector, and a person with experience in sports administration.
Additionally, President Museveni suggested that the minister pick the board members while taking the sports industry, its shareholders, people with disabilities, and gender balance into consideration.
However, according to President Museveni, kickboxing is no longer a recognised sport by the council and should be removed from the schedule and replaced with the recognised sport of archery.
The Private Member’s Bill moved by Hon. Moses Magogo, the MP of Budiope East County, seeks to promote the World Anti-Doping Code along with associated international standards and investigate matters of doping in sports by summoning any person and examining any document or evidence.
The bill also provides disciplinary action for individuals who commit the offence of illegal participation in sports activities.
The President also assented to other bills including the Stamp Duty (Amendment) Bill 2023, the Foreign Exchange (Amendment) No. 2 Bill 2023, the Duty Exercise (Amendment) No. 2 Bill, the Tax Procedures Code (Amendment) Bill 2023, the Tax Income (Amendment) Bill 2023, the Tax Income (Amendment) No. 2 Bill 2023, the Financial Institutions (Amendment) Bill 2023, and the Valve Added Tax (Amendment) No. 2 Bill 2023.