Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) president, Donald Rukare, has tasked member federations and associations to account for the money they receive from the government to avoid audit queries.

“You have started receiving huge amounts of money but few of you account for the money on time. You do not accurately do the exercises which will call for questioning from the Auditor General and whoever falls short will be taken on as advised by the law,” Rukare advised.

Rukare who formerly worked in the Inspectorate of Government made the remarks during UOC’s annual general assembly on Saturday, at their offices in Lugogo.

He echoed the remarks of Peter Ogwang the state sports minister who advised federations to always account for the funds received from the government in the stipulated period of 45 days as mandated by the National Council of Sports statutory instrument of 2014.

Uganda Olympic Committee executive members. Photo by Charles Lwanga

During the AGM, a budget of sh3b for the financial year 2023/24 was passed, with most of the finances attached to helping federations and associations with the various Olympics qualifier events.

“You have to liaise with us on time to have your qualifier events properly planned and see the support we can render as UOC in terms of finance, technical support or advisory support,” Rukare said.

The budget also highlighted other ventures that UOC will take on such as sports administration courses, game connect projects and athletes’ development campaigns like countrywide doping clinics for athletes.

The source of funds for the proposed budget are partners, the International Olympic Committee, the African National Olympic Committee and the Government of Uganda.

During the meeting, six federations were rewarded for outstanding efforts and they each received colour printers from the Chinese embassy.

Rukare hands over a printer to Uganda Dance Sport Federation president Sharifah Sanyu and general secretary Barnabas Ssebuyungo as UAF president Dominic Otuchet looks on. Photo by Charles Lwanga

Uganda Boxing Federation, Uganda Athletics Federation, Uganda Volleyball Federation, Uganda Basketball Federation, Uganda Rugby Union and Uganda Dance Sport Federation were the inaugural six.

Domenic Otucet, the chairperson of the committee that selected the six, said that once more printers are provided, the other 26 members will stand the opportunity to benefit.

The assembly was also informed about the postponement of the All-Africa Games that were slated to take place later this year in Accra, Ghana.

“This is a blessing in disguise to make more thorough preparations for the games whose final dates are yet to be announced,” Rukare stressed.