7th AUUS Forum: Kabenge urges AUUS to prioritise innovation

Penina Kabenge, the immediate past president of the Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS), has called on member universities to shift from basic participation to achieving sustained excellence in university sports.

During her keynote address at the 7th AAUS forum at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) Kihumuro Campus, Kabenge, the first female vice president of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and an experienced sports leader encouraged members to think boldly, question old assumptions, and embrace innovation.

“Let’s strengthen partnerships. The future of Uganda’s university sports is not something we should wait for. It is something we must deliberately build together,” Kabenge implored. “University sports did not simply teach me how to compete. It taught me how to lead. How to serve. How to work with people from different backgrounds. And how to manage success and failure.”

She said university sports remain one of the most powerful platforms for developing future leaders, citing that most current sports tutors and deans of students were students before. “So, from participation, you can move to excellence. For many years, our focus has largely been on participation, which is very unfortunate. Participation remains important; every student has the opportunity to engage in sports for health, well-being, social inclusion, and the passion for development. However, future demands are greater. We must move beyond participation as an end in itself and embrace excellence as a deliberate outcome.”

Kabenge noted that excellence does not only mean winning medals but should also extend to governance, athletes’ development, coaching, sports facilities, safeguarding, student leadership, academic support for athletes, and excellence in innovation and technology. “I’m appealing to you to take excellence as a culture and understand why university sports matter. In today’s rapidly changing world, employers are looking beyond academic qualifications. They seek graduates who can lead teams, solve problems, communicate effectively, adapt to challenges, and work across cultures. Sports involve all these competencies. The boardrooms, the parliament, ministries, businesses, and communities of tomorrow will increasingly be led by individuals whose leadership foundations were built through sport.”

“And I think we are seeing it. A number of our former students are now in parliament. Some of them are ministers, and we’re already seeing this in Uganda. Many former student-athletes and student leaders now serve as members of parliament, ministers, vice-chancellors, deputy vice-chancellors, CEOs, deans of students, and leaders across various sectors. University sports are not an extracurricular activity as most people conceive them to be. It’s an educational tool; it’s a leadership laboratory; it’s a nation-building platform. So, we really need to take it seriously as leaders in university sports.”

She noted that the global landscape of university sports is undergoing a significant transformation, and Uganda should not fall behind. “At the International University Sports Federation, we are witnessing increased emphasis on students’ well-being.” She encouraged them to enrol with the Fiscal Health Compass because mental health is really key. Safeguarding, sustainability, gender equality, equity, digital transformation, leadership development, and health compass initiatives are all critical.

Universities are now evaluated not only on academic rankings but also on how well they support students’ holistic development. Sports play a central role in this mission. Ugandan universities must align with global trends, and it is our collective responsibility to achieve this goal.

She advised deans of students in Uganda to integrate sports into student life and institutional planning, noting that few universities currently prioritize sports. To sports tutors and administrators: “You shape the student-athlete experience, which goes beyond organising competitions. Your work shapes lives and should be approached with dedication.” To university leaders: investment in sports is not merely an expense; it is an investment in leadership development, institutional visibility, student success, and national development.

Kabenge emphasised the need to strengthen governance and constitutional rules in university sports, as strong institutions lead to sustainable results. “So, let’s strengthen governance and invest in student-athlete development. We need to support athletes academically, socially, and professionally. Those developed countries give special consideration to students. If you have an event going on, you could be excused for that time and given another test. Safeguarding students and all participants is essential. This important issue must be addressed directly.”

“Embrace innovation. We need to use technology, data, and digital platforms to improve sports delivery. Every sports program should intentionally develop leadership skills. I am proud of Uganda University sports, but we can achieve even more.”

She advised the student leaders to recognise that their careers in university sport had begun, citing several former sportsmen who now serve as sports tutors and deans of students. “There are still opportunities for deans of students to make an impact. Someone once believed in the power of sports and invested in young people. Now, it is our turn to do the same for the next generation. Our responsibility is to create an environment where students can discover and maximise their potential.”