CHIMP SPORT: NCS Ends Ring-Fenced Funding For Sports Federations

The National Council of Sports (NCS) has announced a major shift in the financing of national sports federations, ending the long-standing practice of ring-fenced government funding and introducing a needs-based allocation system. Speaking during the announcement of the registration status of National Sports Organisations (NSOs), NCS General Secretary Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel said government funding will now be determined by the council based on each federation's activities. "National Council is the determinant of the need of every federation. Once we determine what each association requires, we shall allocate the available resources accordingly, unlike the previous arrangement where Parliament approved specific figures that had to be implemented," Ogwel said. The decision effectively ends the special Shs10 billion annual allocation that had previously been ring-fenced for the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA). "That has been revoked and now funding will be determined based on your need and activity. I can confirm that we have Shs43 billion for sports promotion and development, and already 50 per cent of that money is available. We shall not deter any process of promoting sports in this country," Ogwel added. The funding reforms come alongside the implementation of the National Sports Act, Cap. 151, under which only registered sports organisations will qualify for government financial support beginning in the 2026/27 financial year. NCS also confirmed that only 11 of Uganda's sports federations and associations have fully complied with the new legal requirements and have been issued Certificates of Registration. The fully registered organisations are Netball Uganda, Pool Association of Uganda, FUFA, Uganda DanceSport Federation, Badminton Uganda, Uganda Athletics, Uganda Chess Federation, Uganda Table Tennis Association, Uganda Tennis Association, Uganda Boxing Federation and the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA). Their certificates will remain valid for one year and will be subject to annual renewal, with continued governance, financial and operational monitoring. Another seven organisations were found to be substantially compliant but will undergo additional verification before registration certificates are issued. They include the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of Uganda, Uganda Woodball Federation, Uganda Squash Rackets Association, Uganda Golf Union, Kabaddi Federation of Uganda, Uganda Aquatics and Uganda Rugby. The additional verification will establish whether Ugandans are actively participating in the sports, in line with guidance from the Attorney General. Meanwhile, federations that still have significant compliance gaps have been granted a final one-month extension to address outstanding issues. NCS warned that organisations failing to comply within the final remedial period will have their Certificates of Recognition revoked under the National Sports Act and the National Sports Regulations, 2025. Four organisations—Uganda Wrestling Federation, Uganda Taekwondo Federation, Scrabble Association of Uganda and Uganda Fencing Association—face immediate revocation proceedings after failing to submit any compliance documents by the June deadline. The council also revealed that investigations found the Uganda Dragon Boat Federation and Uganda Canoe Kayak Federation had submitted falsified audited financial statements on two occasions. Both organisations will be given an opportunity to explain the discrepancies before NCS determines whether to reject their registration applications and pursue further legal action. Public objections also affected several federations during the registration process. While Uganda Boxing Federation and Uganda Table Tennis Association have since met the legal requirements, Cricket Uganda and the Uganda Draughts Federation still have unresolved compliance matters under review. Under the new framework, only organisations registered under the National Sports Act will qualify for government funding, official recognition and participation in NCS-administered programmes. Federations that fail to register risk losing access to public funding, although athletes may continue receiving support through alternative structures such as the Uganda Olympic Committee or Uganda Paralympic Committee.