The newly inaugurated board for National Council of Sports (NCS) has been tasked by the state minister of sports Hon.Peter Ogwang to wholesomely streamline and develop sports in Uganda.
On Tuesday, 20th February 2024, the board chaired by Ambrose Tashobya was officially inaugurated and sworn in for the four year tenure (2024-2028) during a ceremony at Copper Chimney Restaurant, Lugogo in Kampala.
The minister tipped this board to drive the sports sub-sector in the right desired direction, aligning with the newly passed sports Act 2023.
” I urge you to implement the new sports law in totality with professionalization of all sports associations and federations. You should encourage more Ugandans take on sports” the minister spoke.
Challenges in sports sub-sector:
Hon. Ogwang noted that whereas there are challenges in the sports sub-sector, the board ought to seek solutions in the shortest time frame.
” Sports has had challenges, still has challenges and will have challenges in the future. Please come up with workable solutions to mitigate these challenges. Let the athletes should be the centre of development at all times” he added.
Hon. Ogwang urged the board members to work in harmony with all the sports associations and federations to avoid misunderstandings.
“I congragulate you for having passed the litmus test to make it to the board once again. You should work together with various players to avoid collusion and conflicts.” he advised.
He also cautioned about good accountability of public funds, called for review of all employment contracts for staff at NCS, urged for start of a sports museum and facilitation of teams to international championships.
The swearing in ceremony was conducted by the Commissioner in charge of Oaths Dr. Macmot Adam Kibwanga.
The process was witnessed by the minister, president of Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) Dr. Donald Rukare, NCS General Secretary Dr. Bernard Patrick Ogwel, Inspector of education facilities Mary Frances Atima (representing the permanent secretary, Ministry of Education and Sports – Ketty Lamaro), commissioner of physical education and sports Dr. Rev Canon Duncans Mugumya, special presidential assistant Guntar Lange, NCS staff, the media and others.
Ambrose Tashobya was maintained as chairperson of the board. Tashobya is also a former president of the basketball federation in Uganda and a member of the Uganda Olympic Committee.
“We are resilient and focused coming to this four year term in office. I thank the Almighty Lord for seeing us through the tough times. I also thank minister mamma Janet Museveni and the state minister Hon. Peter Ogwang. We open up a new chapter of continued work and development. We are focused towards the redevelopment of Lugogo sports complex. We have entered partnerships with other institutions of Government as Kyambogo University and KCCA. We yearn to establish regional academies as we map out sports centers in Uganda. There is confidence that much will be done” Tashobya assured.
The NCS board also has former Olympic Marathon Gold medalist Stephen Kiprotich, banker Moses Omara Anyii, seasoned sports administrator Zubair Galiwango, experienced administrator Cecilia Anyakoit, politician Gloria Evelyn Piloya and Jacqueline Basemera, an educationalist.
The board now has 7 members, a reduction from 12 as per the new sports Act.
Also, the tenure of office was extended to four years. The previous duration of the board was two years.
National Council of Sports (NCS) Board (2024– 2028)
Chairman:
- Ambrose Tashoya
Members:
- Stephen Kiprotich
- Cecilia Anyakoit
- Zubair Galiwango
- Gloria Evelyn Piloya
- Moses Omara Anyii
- Jacqueline Basemera
