By Spy Uganda
President Yoweri Museveni has signed the National Sports Amendment Bill, 2024, into law following a warning from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that Ugandan athletes could be barred from international competitions if the country failed to align its laws with global anti-doping standards.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa announced the development during the plenary sitting on January 29, 2025.
The amendment was prompted by WADA’s insistence that Uganda’s National Sports Act must explicitly prohibit interference in the activities of the country’s National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO).
“I am happy to inform you that the President has assented to the National Sports Bill, 2024. We thank him for fulfilling his mandate, and we ask the Minister for Education and Sports to immediately begin implementing the law,” Tayebwa said.
Opendi Queries Delay in Regulations
While welcoming the law, Tororo Woman MP Sarah Opendi sought clarification from the Ministry of Education and Sports on the regulations needed to operationalize the Act. She noted that although the initial version of the law was signed in August 2023, its implementation had been delayed due to the absence of necessary regulations.
“But also remember that when we passed this Act, the President assented to it in August 2023. However, we always face challenges with regulations not being fast-tracked. A law cannot be implemented without regulations, as certain sections depend on them. May I know whether these regulations are in place?” Opendi asked.
She further urged the Ministry to formally present any regulations to Parliament, as required for proper legislative oversight.
Speaker to Engage Attorney General
In response, Tayebwa promised to verify whether the law required regulations and assured MPs that he would engage Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka to ensure timely implementation of all pending laws.
“I need to confirm if the law requires regulations. The Speaker verifies this through the Clerk and by reviewing the law. I will arrange a meeting with the Attorney General to address all laws that remain idle due to missing regulations,” Tayebwa said.
He cited the Fisheries Act as an example of legislation passed long ago but still lacking the necessary regulations for enforcement.
WADA’s Deadline and CAF Inspection
During the bill’s debate in December 2024, Minister of State for Sports Peter Ogwang warned that failure to amend the law could lead to Ugandan athletes being banned from international competitions.
He also revealed that, starting January 1, 2025, officials from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) would be in Uganda to assess the country’s preparedness to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Kenya and Tanzania. The visit coincides with multiple warning letters from WADA emphasizing the urgency of aligning Uganda’s laws with the World Anti-Doping Code.
Key Amendments to the National Sports Act
Parliament approved amendments to Section 52 of the National Sports Act to ensure the independence of NADO. The key changes include:
- Independence of NADO – The law now states:
“Subject to this Act, the National Anti-Doping Organisation shall be independent and shall not, in the performance of its duties, recruitment, and remuneration of its staff, be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority.” - Appointment and Remuneration – NADO members, including staff and directors, will be appointed based on terms set out in internal regulations adopted by the Minister. Their remuneration will also be determined by these regulations to ensure uniformity and prevent negotiations between appointees and the Minister.
- Publication of Anti-Doping Standards – Uganda is now required to publish international anti-doping standards in the Gazette and widely circulated media whenever they are adopted or amended by WADA.
Funding Request for Anti-Doping Organisation
The National Council of Sports has requested UGX 3.5 billion in the 2025/26 budget to operationalize NADO.
With the law now in place, attention shifts to whether the necessary regulations and funding will be secured in time to avoid further sanctions from WADA.
