Will local sport reap from the new MPs?

When the dust finally settles on the recently concluded elections, there will be an assessment of what each of the elected representatives to Parliament will bring to the table.

Stakeholders in the business, transport, agricultural sectors will hope that a large number of the legislators due for the tenth Parliament serve their interests.

But equally expectant will be the sports sector that has been awash with hardship over the last three decades.

Why? For quite some time, Ugandan sport has felt neglected, with several critics blaming its plight on the lack of decent representation in the August House.

A majority feel that Ugandan sport has been underfunded because the sector has not had a powerful block to push for its interests.

But following the wave of change in the August House that ushered in the likes of Julius Acon, Allan Ssewanyana, Kato Lubwama, Patrick Isiagi and Denis Galabuzi, Ugandan sport could be destined for a bright future.

For the first time or probably a long while, sport will have fair and solid representation in Parliament considering that the five legislators are genuine products of local sport.

Former world junior champion Acon understands the plight of Ugandan athletes, while former sports administrators Isiagi and Galabuzi
have first-hand painful experiences managing ill-funded sports teams. The three do not need to be reminded of the inadequate sports budget.

Ssewanyana and Lubwama have covered sport for a considerable period. The two media personalities appreciate the fact that Ugandan sport has evolved significantly over the years and as such will push through for an independent sports ministry.

If the five sports enthusiasts can join hands with experienced legislators such as Winnie Kizza and Mohammed Nsereko, then local sport might
finally have a voice to instigate a revolution.