2022 in Review: Uganda Olympic Committee, CGU reflects upon key gains, energies for 2023

The Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) and the Commonwealth Games Uganda (CGU) is among the vivid sports bodies in the country that have steadily weathered the storm of post COVID-19 and fiercely bounced to serve the sports sub-sector with aggression.

Addressing the media during the end of year (2022) press briefing at the UOC headquarters in Lugogo, Kampala on Friday, December 23, 2022, UOC president Dr Donald Rukare cited a number of significant milestones attained rhyming in line with their strategic plan.

Dr Rukare was flanked by the secretary general Beatrice Ayikoru and Anne Mungoma, a member of the Executive committee.

“Overall, we look back at 2022 with a deep sense of satisfaction since 2022 was preceded by COVID-19 pandemic” he opened his remarks.

Dr. Rukare hinted that close to 98% of the scheduled activities in their 2022 calendar were accomplished with all monthly Executive Committee meetings held as well as the Quarterly Council meetings with the members.

“The UOC Annual General Assembly was successfully held in March at which the 2021 Annual Report, Financial and Audit reports, the 2022 Calendar and budget approved as well” he added.

He pointed out that all the different commissions were all active as they conducted several activities that inter-alia promoted Olympism in the country.

The Uganda Olympic Committee member Federations or associations were also active as Basketball, Archery, Swimming, Volleyball, Badminton, Netball, Taekwondo, Judo, Rugby, Athletics, Gymnastics, Boxing, Hockey, Table Tennis and Handball among others. We held an inaugural Governance and leadership session for presidents and secretary generals focusing on their roles (mandate) and the Olympic Solidarity world programs.

Dr Donald Rukare, president of Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC)

The leadership and governance sessions for presidents and secretary generals of member associations were meant to create a platform to discuss issues at hand; Roles and mandates for presidents and secretary generals.

In future, these will be made quarterly as other topics as resource mobilization, commercialization of sport, efficient use of media, new sports policy and others are discussed.

“The leadership and governance sessions were also meant to empower our members.” Beatrice Ayikoru interjected.

Capacity Building:

The UOC engaged in a couple of capacity building programs with the active participation in the National Sports Forum convened by the Minister of State for sports Hon Peter Ogwang and his predecessor Hon Hamson Denis Obua.

There was extensive input provided on the draft National Sports and Physical Education Policy, draft Physical Activity and Sports Bill 2022 and the National Sports Bill 2021.

In the same vein, UOC organized national capacity building activities for the members, sports fraternity and beyond.

UOC hosted the International Olympic Committee Annual Forums for all the 54 Africa National Olympic Committees in Kampala under the theme “Preparation for Paris 2024”.

Uganda also hosted a World Anti-Doping Training of Trainers at Sheraton Kampala Hotel for Anti-Doping educators under the Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO), focused on increasing and enhancing compliancy with the WADA Anti-Doping code.

Commonwealth Games Birmingham 2022:

Uganda took part in the 2022 Commonwealth Games hosted in Birmingham city, United Kingdom; finishing fourth in Africa with 5 medals.

“We want to build on the achievements from the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 2022” Rukare noted.

Islamic Games Konya 2022:

Uganda also competed in the World Islamic Games which took place in Konya city, Turkey with 10 medals fetched.

UOC Strategic Partnerships:

The Uganda Olympic Committee established key partnerships along the year, particularly with the Uganda Forest Authority (UFA) with a target of setting up one of the largest Olympic Forests in the Olympic global family.

Uganda Forest Authority provided us with 1500 acres of land in Budongo (Kagombe), Muzizi River (Buhungiro), Lakeshores (Bajjo), Kyoga (Namatale) and Karamoja (Mt Moroto) where the Olympic Forest will be created to reduce on the carbon cycle.

Dr Donald Rukare, president of Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC)

UOC also initiated collaborative talks with TOTAL Energies, Cuban Olympic Committee, Bahrain Olympic Committee, Saudi Olympic Committee and concluded a joint venture with Samrenato International to launch a sports lotto soon.

UOC was active in regional and international for a such as the Commonwealth Africa regional meetings, Commonwealth Games General Assembly, Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) General Assembly, Islamic Sports Solidarity Federation (ISSF) Assembly as well as engagements with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Token of appreciation:

Dr Rukare extended a token of appreciation to the various stakeholders for a successful 2022.

The UOC Commissions shall remain vibrant as well as concretizing the partnerships. I thank all my colleagues on the UOC and CGU Executive Committee for the unwavering commitment and guidance. The staff at the secretariat, member federations and associations, Government of Uganda, Ministry of Education and Sports, National Council of Sport (NCS), partners and media for the support. We look forward to the continued collaboration. We firmly believe that 2023 will be a year full of sporting promise and activity. We remain committed to serving our members and the athletes to ensure that sports made in Uganda continues to soar even higher. Merry Christmas and Happy New year.

Dr Donald Rukare, president Uganda Olympic Committee (OC)

Future prospects:

The Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) envisages 2023 and the years beyond as rich confines to consolidate their gains.

Ranking aloft their priority and wish-list is the prime land to construct their office and the second OlympiAfrica center (after the one Busia), implementing the strategic plan, holding the Annual General Assembly, preparations for the Commonwealth Youth Games Trinidad and Tobago 2023, ANOC Beach Games Bali 2023, Paris 2024 Olympic Games and setting up a refugee team.