Written By | Alex Mbamanya
Sports officers during a practical session at Ntare school grounds
Search
The local rugby governing body, Uganda Rugby Union (URU), has embarked on a serious promotion and development drive for the sport across all regions of the country. The move has seen URU traverse all four regions, empowering sports officers and coordinators with rugby knowledge and skills to enable easier dissemination of the sport within their areas.
The Western Region was among the targeted areas, where URU conducted a one-day capacity-building workshop for 32 district sports officers and 35 coordinators at Ntare School.
Sports officers being awarded certificates after the one day rugby capacity building clinic at Ntare school
The workshop was conducted by Get Into Rugby (GIR) officer Jude Rwakayanga and URU Western Region Rugby Development Officer Timothy Iraka. District sports officers who attended the training said they returned home with a more positive mindset compared to before the session.
“This workshop has helped open my eyes because now I know what to tell the people back home about the game. Many have regarded rugby as a dangerous sport and lacked knowledge to explain it, but now that I have been enlightened, I have a lot of good things to share,” said Abel Kamugisha, the Bushenyi District Sports Officer.
Sports officers during a practical session at Ntare school grounds
Participants were taken through sports governance and institutional capacity at the district level, with particular focus on rugby development and administration.
The training covered thematic areas including rugby readiness and development pathways, resource mobilisation and sustainability, establishment and strengthening of club and district sports structures, governance and administration of rugby clubs, and training of trainers (TOT). Participants were later awarded certificates of participation.
Rugby remains a low-key sport in most regions of the country, with only the Central Region and parts of the Eastern Region actively engaged in the game at both school and club levels.
OTHER PICTURES 
Torch Media Africa
