NCS proposes sh1.5 trillion budget to bridge sports funding gap

In a bold move to bridge the gap between Uganda’s least funded national sports federations and ongoing infrastructure development, the National Council of Sports (NCS), through the Ministry of Education and Sports, has proposed a budget of sh1.5 trillion for the 2026/27 financial year.

The figure is nearly three times larger than the 2024/25 NCS budget, which was approved with a deficit of Shs167 billion. The ambitious proposal was presented to Parliament’s Budget Committee on Wednesday.

However, the committee deferred consideration and directed NCS and the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) to return with a joint submission, after concerns arose when FUFA presented a separate budget for football during the same sitting.

“Some people have termed it ambitious, but as sports managers, we see it as ideal,” said NCS General Secretary Bernard Ogwel.

Committee chairpersons emphasized the need for a holistic approach, directing both parties to reconcile figures before resubmitting. While FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo insisted his federation had already submitted its budget to NCS, Ogwel denied receiving it, though later confirmed fresh engagements were held to harmonize figures.

Ogwel stressed that it is NCS’s statutory mandate to consolidate budgets from all federations before submitting a final proposal. He explained that the first priority was to reinstate the Shs167b deficit, noting that new budget items cannot be introduced without prior discussion.

He further outlined that sports funding operates under Budget Call Circulars 1 and 2—the first setting ceilings approved by Parliament in May 2024, and the second allowing room for proposed increments.

Beyond infrastructure, Ogwel said the new budget aims to reduce disparities between heavily funded federations and the other 28 federations, each currently receiving only Shs10.7m annually.

“FUFA is the most funded federation, receiving about Shs19b annually, followed by others receiving Shs2.4b and Shs264m. Our goal is to bridge this gap because, realistically, it is impossible to run a national sport throughout the country on a government grant of only Shs10.7m,” Ogwel noted.

The proposal also caters for Olympic qualification preparations ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games, and includes a donors’ support account to assist federations facing financial constraints.

Ogwel urged federations to emulate FUFA, crediting football for attracting AFCON 2027 to Uganda, largely due to the construction of internationally compliant stadiums. He emphasized the government’s long-term focus on building multi-sport facilities nationwide.

NCS Chairman Ambrose Tashobya reiterated that all federations must plan and budget through NCS under established government procedures.

“FUFA indicated the need for additional funding for nationwide talent identification and infrastructure development, all of which we catered for in the proposed budget. It may not be the size they desire, but legally, this falls under the mandate of NCS,” he explained.

FUFA has also requested to be co-opted onto the AFCON Local Organizing Committee, citing its role as the national football governing body.