The National Council of Sports (NCS) has officially granted registration certificates to only 11 National Sports Organisations (NSOs) under the National Sports Act, Cap. 151, with the majority of sports federations still falling short of the legal requirements needed to retain full recognition.
The announcement follows the expiry of the first five-month remedial compliance period on June 7, 2026, marking a significant milestone in Uganda’s transition to a new legal framework aimed at improving governance, accountability and transparency in sport.
The decision, reached during the NCS Board sitting on July 17, comes after nearly a year of assessments, nationwide inspections, public objections and compliance reviews involving the country’s recognised sports governing bodies.
Of the 51 National Sports Organisations previously recognised under the old legal regime, only 45 submitted applications for registration before the June 2025 deadline. Six organisations failed to apply and were automatically excluded from the registration process, with NCS beginning legal procedures to revoke their Certificates of Recognition.
The organisations that did not apply are Uganda Ultimate Frisbee Association, Uganda Floorball Association, Uganda Deaf Sports Federation, Association of Uganda University Sports (AUUS), Uganda Rolball Association and Uganda Body Building and Fitness Association.
Eleven federations fully compliant
After completing desk reviews, nationwide physical verification exercises across 115 districts, and assessing additional compliance submissions, NCS confirmed that only 11 federations had fully met the requirements of the National Sports Act.
These are:
- Netball Uganda
- Pool Association of Uganda
- Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA)
- Uganda DanceSport Federation
- Badminton Uganda
- Uganda Athletics
- Uganda Chess Federation
- Uganda Table Tennis Association
- Uganda Tennis Association
- Uganda Boxing Federation
- Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA)
NCS has immediately issued Certificates of Registration to the 11 organisations. The certificates will remain valid for one year and will be subject to annual renewal, with the federations continuing to undergo governance, financial and operational monitoring.
Seven await further verification
Another seven organisations were found to be substantially compliant but must undergo further verification before registration certificates can be issued.
These are:
- Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of Uganda
- Uganda Woodball Federation
- Uganda Squash Rackets Association
- Uganda Golf Union
- Kabaddi Federation of Uganda
- Uganda Aquatics
- Uganda Rugby
NCS said the verification will particularly examine whether Ugandans are genuinely participating in these sports, following guidance from the Attorney General that participation extends beyond formal competition to include broader sporting activities.
Non-compliant federations get final chance
The remaining organisations that submitted applications but were still found to have major compliance gaps have been granted one final month to address outstanding issues.
NCS warned that failure to comply within the final remedial period will trigger immediate revocation of their existing Certificates of Recognition under Section 15 of the National Sports Act and Regulation 10 of the National Sports Regulations, 2025.
Four organisations—Uganda Wrestling Federation, Uganda Taekwondo Federation, Scrabble Association of Uganda and Uganda Fencing Association—failed to submit any compliance documentation by the June 7 deadline. NCS resolved to commence revocation proceedings against them immediately.
Objection cases still active
Several federations remain under active compliance windows because of objections raised during the registration process.
NCS received 20 public objections against eight organisations, citing issues including governance disputes, leadership legitimacy, financial accountability, national spread and constitutional irregularities.
Following hearings and appeals, Uganda Boxing Federation and Uganda Table Tennis Association have since satisfied the legal requirements and are among the fully compliant federations, while Cricket Uganda and Uganda Draughts Federation still have outstanding compliance issues to address before their respective compliance windows expire later this month and in August.
False documents under investigation
NCS also revealed that investigations established Uganda Dragon Boat Federation and Uganda Canoe Kayak Federation submitted falsified audited financial statements on two separate occasions.
The Board resolved that the organisations will first be given an opportunity to explain the discrepancies. If their explanations are found to be unsatisfactory, NCS will reject their registration applications and revoke their Certificates of Recognition, without prejudice to any civil or criminal proceedings that may arise.
Government funding now tied to registration
Beginning with the 2026/27 financial year, only organisations registered under the National Sports Act will qualify for government funding through NCS.
Federations that fail to secure registration will lose eligibility for government grants, official recognition and participation in NCS-administered programmes.
While athletes from affected sports may still receive support through alternative arrangements involving the Uganda Olympic Committee or Uganda Paralympic Committee, their governing bodies will effectively operate only as promoters of their sports until they achieve compliance.
NCS described the registration exercise as a transformative reform intended to strengthen governance, accountability, transparency and institutional integrity across Uganda’s sports sector.
Dr Ogwel also confirmed the end of ring-fencing of funding for Sports Federations!
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