Kabenge challenges Ugandan universities to strive for excellence in sports

Peninah Kabenge, Secretary General of the Federation of Africa University Sports (FASU), has challenged the Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS) to work toward excellence at institutional level.

Kabenge made the appeal during her keynote speech at the seventh AUUS Forum, held on Thursday at Kihumuro Campus, Makerere University of Science and Technology in Mbarara.

Kabenge, a former Uganda Olympic Committee Secretary General and AUUS President Emeritus, noted that excellence in academics, good governance, facilities, and athlete safeguarding will help build the future of sports in the country while fostering well-rounded students.

"Excellence in academics, safeguarding athletes, innovation, and governance will take sports to another level and brighten the future of sports in Uganda," Kabenge said.

She urged universities to stop viewing investment in sports as an expenditure, and instead see it as an investment that yields significant returns for the institution.

"Currently, no university in Uganda is prioritizing investment in sports. Yet such investment would strengthen governance and develop leadership skills that will manage not only sports but also institutional governance," Kabenge added.

The two-day workshop, organized by AUUS, aims to equip sports tutors, deans of students, and student leaders with knowledge in governance, sports development, and academic excellence.

AUUS President George Wagoogo urged university leaders to invest in sports, emphasizing that sports and academics are not competitors but complement each other.

He added that AUUS will continue engaging university leaders at all levels to ensure sports is given priority, through improved budget allocations, better facilities, and more opportunities for students to explore their talents.