Government has allocated Shs47 billion to the sports sub-sector registering a record 29 billion shillings increase in its budget on top of the 18 billion it got in the last financial year.
According to the 2022/23 financial year budget, National Council of Sports (NCS) will get 47.81 billion shillings to fund its activities that include supporting national teams for international events like Olympics, Paralympics Commonwealth Games, continental championships, etc.
From the Shs47 billion allocated to the sports sector, Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) will take the lion’s share of Shs17 billion while the remaining 52 associations will share Shs30 billion.
Speaking to a local TV station on June 14, Dr. Bernard Ogwel, the NCS Secretary General, said the additional 29 billion shillings to the sports budget is a tremendous milestone in the development of sports in the country.
“The additional 29 billion is a forecast but also to inform Ugandans that it will strengthen Ugandan competitiveness at international competitions. It also to strengthen our strategy for talent and identification and development,” he said.
“As you know, one of the key issues is in technical development. After identifying talent, you must provide a platform for competition.”
He revealed that the Shs 47 billion does not include funds for infrastructure development.
“All these Shs29.7 billion will be for activities. It’s not for capital development, capital development, takes care of sports infrastructure, agenda, refurbishment of stadiums, construction of stadiums, so this component does not touch. It is strictly to support activities of Council and Federations,” Ogwel noted.
He said the reason FUFA will take a lion share is because the Shs10 billion was ring-fenced for Uganda Cranes.
They will be given an additional of Shs7 billion for the ladies team and other activities.