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Hon. Peter Ogwang, during a plenary session
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By Our Reporter
PARLIAMENT - The Parliament of Uganda has passed the National Sports Amendment Bill, 2024, a move aimed at reaffirming the independence of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and ensuring compliance with global anti-doping standards. The legislation comes after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) flagged provisions in the existing National Sports Act as insufficient, threatening to bar Ugandan athletes from international competitions if amendments were not made. The Bill was tabled by Minister of State for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, during a plenary session where he sought the suspension of Rule 129 of the Parliamentary Rules of Procedure. This allowed for urgent consideration of the Bill without referring it to the Education Committee.
Urgency to align with global standards
Minister Ogwang emphasized that the amendments were critical to addressing gaps in the National Sports Act, particularly regarding anti-doping measures. Although Uganda ratified the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport in 2007, its current legislation does not fully align with the World Anti-Doping Code.
“The justification for the suspension is the urgent need to align the National Sports Act with the World Anti-Doping Code and the UNESCO international convention against doping,” Ogwang stated. “Failure to comply could result in Uganda losing hosting rights for tournaments like CHAN and AFCON, and our athletes could face bans from international competitions.”
The Minister noted that the amendments contained just four clauses, all of which focus on aligning Ugandan law with global anti-doping standards.
Clarity on independence
Attorney General Kiwanuka Kiryowa explained that WADA required Uganda to explicitly ensure the independence of its National Anti-Doping Agency in the legislation.
“WADA demanded clarity on the independence of the body handling anti-doping to ensure it is free from any institutional or individual interference,” Kiryowa explained. “The amendments address these concerns by incorporating the World Anti-Doping Code into Ugandan law.”
Attorney General Kiryowa
Debate over legislative procedure
However, the expedited process of passing the Bill drew criticism from some MPs, including Hon. Jonathan Odur (Erute South), who accused the government of rushing the House unnecessarily.
“Even when the matter is urgent, it is proper that procedures are followed,” Odur argued. “This House should not be treated as a group of robots to rubber-stamp government business. The Minister has not justified the urgency of passing the Bill in a single sitting.”
Despite the concerns, Parliament ultimately passed the Bill, with proponents citing the pressing need to safeguard Uganda’s participation in international sports events.
Jonathan Odur, Erute South MP
Impact of the legislation
The amendments are expected to strengthen Uganda’s compliance with global anti-doping regulations and reinforce the credibility of its athletes on the international stage. The law also secures the country’s rights to host prestigious sports tournaments, such as CHAN and AFCON, which could significantly boost the nation’s profile in global sports. As Uganda aligns with global standards, the move underscores the government’s commitment to fostering integrity and competitiveness in sports.
Torch Media Africa
