NCS gives non-compliant associations new registration deadline

Starting June 7, the National Council of Sports (NCS) will automatically reject registration applications and revoke Certificates of Recognition for any federations or associations that have not met all the statutory requirements set out in the new National Sports Act 2023.

This was disclosed by the NCS General Secretary Patrick Ogwel during a press conference at which he gave a status update on registration of National Sports Federations and Associations (NSF/As) at the Copper Chimney on Friday. 

Flanked by all the NCS top brass, including the Assistant General Secretary-Technical Milton Chebet, the Assistant General Secretary-Administration Joseph Oluga, Senior Legal Officer Diana Kwesiga, and Senior Finance Officer Muhamed Bbale, among others, Ogwel said the earlier window for registration revealed a number of systemic challenges within the sports sector, including but not limited to widespread non-compliance, with none of the applicant organisations fully meeting the statutory requirements under the Act and the Regulations at the time of assessment, indicating significant governance, structural, and administrative gaps across the sector. 

NCS General Secretary Patrick Ogwel (2nd left) addresses the press flanked by the Assistant General Secretary-Administration Joseph Oluga (left), Senior Legal Officer Diana Kwesiga, Sports Officer Sarah Chelangat and Senior Finance Officer Muhamed Bbale at Copper Chimney Restaurant. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Several federations and associations exhibited limited internal capacity to promptly interpret, operationalise, and comply with the new legal and regulatory standards showing a lack of institutional capacity, while a number of applicants submitted incomplete documentation, inconsistent records, or delayed responses, thereby prolonging the assessment process, amounting to delayed and incomplete submissions.

Ogwel also noted that some organisations were affected by unresolved governance disputes, leadership conflicts, or unclear constitutional arrangements, which hindered compliance verification. He said despite these challenges, NCS remains committed to supporting the sector through this transition while firmly upholding the law.

“While the zero-compliance outcome is a matter of serious concern, NCS remains cautiously optimistic that the remedial period will enable all applicant organisations to regularise their status and align with the law,” Ogwel said.

“The ongoing transition is a critical legal and institutional reform intended to strengthen governance, accountability, transparency, and national character within Uganda's sports sector. It is not a mere procedural exercise but a foundational transformation required by law.

“NCS reaffirms its commitment to enforcing the Act and the Regulations to the letter and shall exercise its full regulatory mandate to ensure that only legally compliant and administratively sound organisations are entrusted with the management and promotion of sports in Uganda,” Ogwel stated.

At the time of transition, NCS recognized 51 National Sports Federations and Associations. Of these, 45 submitted applications for registration. Six organizations did not apply by the June 20, 2025, deadline: Uganda Ultimate Frisbee Association, Uganda Flow Ball Association, Uganda Deaf Sports Federation, Association of Uganda University Sports, Uganda Rollball Association, and Uganda Body Building and Fitness Association. NCS will follow the prescribed legal process to independently resolve the status of the six non-compliant entities.

 For applicants, NCS published notices in the Uganda Gazette and the New Vision, inviting the public to submit objections if there were valid grounds. NCS received eight objections regarding applications from Uganda Boxing Federation, Uganda Table Tennis Association, Cricket Uganda, Uganda Darts Association, Uganda Draughts Federation, Uganda Lacrosse Association, Uganda Rowing Federation, and VX Uganda.

These applications and the related information were reviewed and assessed after the objections were determined. NCS has concluded this process. Parties dissatisfied with NCS’s decision may appeal to the Minister of State for Education and Sports (Sports) in accordance with the Act and Regulations.