National Council of Sports (NCS) is a statutory organ whose establishment, status and powers are enshrined under The NCS Act of 1964, to among other things; Develop, Promote and Control sports activities in Uganda on behalf of Government, under the Ministry of Education and Sports. The NCS which is linked to the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa (SCSA) and other relevant sports organizations serves as the REGULATOR and apex organization that coordinates all sports activities in the country, in conjunction with National Sports Associations/Federations. The NCS mandate among others include;

1. Develop and promote all forms of sport on national basis, in conjunction with voluntary amateur sports bodies, and also providing training and the required staff.
2. Encourage and facilitate cooperation among the various national sports associations.
3. Approve international and national sports competitions and festivals organized by national and other associations.
4. Organize, in conjunction with the nation associations, national and International competitions and festivals as a means of gaining experience and fostering friendly relations with other nations, and other activities as may be approved by the minister.
5. Stimulate interest in sports at all levels.
6. Plan the general policy of sports promotion.
7. Award, in consultation with the national associations, medals, diplomas, certificates and other incentives for the encouragement and promotion of sporting activities.
8. Sponsor scholarships for the training of coaches and organizers.
9. Advise the Minister of Sports regarding external relations in the field of sports
10. Arrange with local authorities for the provision of sporting facilities at all local levels and to inculcate a high level of sportsmanship and discipline.
11. Approve expenditure of national associations in receipt of grants made or through the Council and to audit the accounts of such associations.

The 2014 Statutory Instruments No. 38 provides a legal framework for the incorporation of a National Sports Association/ Federation. As such, institution of National sports association/federations should be in accordance with the laws of Uganda.

Incorporation of national sports associations

A “national sports association” means an organization promoting and supervising a particular sport throughout the country and includes a federation or association.

For the purposes of sub regulation (2) of the Statutory Instrument No.38, NCS shall, in determining whether a national association is present throughout the country, take into account—

(a) the nature of the sport;

(b) the popularity of the sport;

(c) the presence of facilities to play the sport;

(d) the plan of the association to

Registration of national sports associations.

(1) Every national sports association shall be registered with NCS

(2) NCS shall not register a national sports association unless that association meets the requirements of a national sports association specified in Statutory Instruments N0.38

3. Only one national sports association can be registered in respect of each sport in Uganda

(4) NCS shall not register a national association which is incorporated as a company.

(5) An application to register a national sports association shall be in Form A.

Governance structure.

(1) Every national sports association shall have

(a) a general assembly;

(b) an executive committee;

(c) a chairperson or president; and

(d) a general secretary or secretary.

(2) A national association affiliated or recognized by an international body governing a particular sport may in accordance with the rules prescribed by that body have a different governance structure from the one specified in the regulation.

(3) Every person involved in the governance of a national association shall be elected or appointed in accordance with the instruments constituting the association or in accordance with the international rules governing the sport.

(4) For the purposes of this regulation and regulation 7, a person involved in the governance of a national association means a member of the general assembly or executive committee, the chairpersons or president, the general secretary or secretary of the association.

(c) Hold regular meetings and assemblies according to set regulations

(d) Must have the requisite administrative organs (Executive Committee,Technical Officer(s), Sub-Committees and a General Assembly etc)

(e) Must hold a valid NCS Certificate of Recognition which is a merit of compliance.

For more information, email: technical@ncs.go.ug

The National Physical Education and Sports Policy states the roles and responsibilities of different sports bodies as:

Ministry of Education and Sports/ Department of Education and Sports

1. Development, implementation and Revision of the National Physical Education and Sports Policy and other related policies
2. Promotion and developing Physical Education and Sports especially in Education institutions
3. Initiate and promote co-ordination, collaboration and network amongst all stakeholders
4. Recommend sports men and women for National Awards
5. Advocate for and mobilize funds for Physical Education and Sports
6. Monitor and Evaluate Physical Education and Sports

National Council of Sports

1. Implement the NCS mandate as stated in the NCS Act of 1964
2. Sports Regulation and Administration
3. Implement, monitor and Evaluate National Sports programs
4. Coordinate activities of Sports Federations

Uganda Olympic Committee

1. Coordinate the activities of the Olympic movement
2. Organise National teams to participate in Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games

National Sports Associations/Federations

1. Identify and Develop Sports talents
2. Train coaches, athletes and technical personnel
3. Liaise with National and International bodies to develop Physical Education and Sports
4. Organise Physical Education and Sports competitions
5. Design and implement Physical Education and Sports Programs
6. Motivate athletes
7. Market Physical Education and Sports
8. Develop and maintain Physical Education and Sports facilities and equipment

For more information, email: info@ncs.go.ug

Sports bodies affiliation to National Council of Sports is through National Sports Associations/ Federations. Accordingly, Sports Clubs, Academies, NGOs can only work with NCS through a respective National Sports Association/Federation. This relationship affects all the support that the above bodies may require from NCS.

Accordingly, Sports Clubs, Academies and NGOs should strive for a good working relationship with National Sports Associations/Federations inorder to promote sports in the country.

For more information, email: technical@ncs.go.ug

Government through Council may extend financial Support to N/As where possible, depending on set qualification criteria and availability of resources, with the guidance of the NCS Funding Policy. Accordingly, the N/As who seek for this funding should formally request for funding and are required to have submitted the following support documents in order to be considered for financial support

- Annual calendar

- Proposed Budget for the intended event

- Formulated plans to guide their operations

- Rebrand and showcase their talents/products to increase on the private sector to sponsor their activities

- Mobilize funds (fundraising/partnership) mobilize, private sector and partnerships to supplement on Government support

- Accountability for the usage of the Government funding

- Report of the completed activity

Utilization of funds from Government

• Government through NCS will endeavor to fund the National Associations Programs and framework within which their outputs can be measured.
• NCS will argue recipients of funds to indicate the added value that they have achieved in relation to their sport and recreation activities.
• NCS recognizes that it has to allocate public funds entrusted to it in a manner that promotes effectiveness, efficiency, economy, equity, development and excellence in sport and recreation. There should be value for investment.
• NCS will demand and enforce compliance to acceptable standards of administration from recipients of Government funding, as opposed to dependence on hand-outs.
• NCS will encourage creativity and self-reliance on the part of the National Associations.
• Since the NCS/Government cannot continue the practice of stretching the limited budget to both the top and bottom ends of all the national sport and recreation codes, not all sports programs will be funded.
• NCS is mindful of the need for financial resources in sport and recreation. The state sport/recreation partnership, resulting in sport and recreation forums at national, district and local levels, unlocks all the financial resources government can make available to sport and recreation

Criteria for qualifying for financial support

In order to be considered for financial assistance from the NCS, macro-structures national federations and service organization must:-

• Be registered and compliant to NCS as provided for in the Statutory Instruments No.38, 2014
• Be unified and democratically elected bodies instituted as organizations “not for gain” with registered participants.
• Have vibrant Local, Districts, foreign programs
• Have Regional/Districts/Club representation in the General Assembly;
• Support free association and participation
• Pursue purely sports and recreational objectives;
• Take positive action against any of its members who are guilty of the use of prohibited performance-enhancing chemical substances;
• Provide proof of the existence and implementation of a viable national development program that is aimed at maximizing opportunities for all;
• By means of annual audited income and expenditure accounts, provide proof of sound financial management;
• Have leadership development programs
• Hold meetings as stipulated by their Constitutions
• Hold regular executive meetings

For more information, email: technical@ncs.go.ug

The NCS Policy Guidelines state the following in regards to hosting of International Sports Tournaments/Events:

- NCS/ Ministry should be involved and approve the bidding to host an international or regional sports event.

- For any international sports event to be hosted in Uganda, Government (NCS) must be involved in the bidding process to ensure that logistical support and other forms of support are available to host.

- N/As intending to bid or host international sports events, must first present their bid proposals to NCS preferably one year before the event for appropriate clearance.

- Details of the funding/sponsorship in relation to the event to be hosted by the N/A should be disclosed to NCS

- A Local Organizing Committee (LOC) should be appointed to which NCS/Government must be represented, to plan and budget for the activity.

- A detailed Report of the event upon conclusion

For more information, email: technical@ncs.go.ug

a) National Sports Associations/Federations (N/As)

N/As shall access sports facilities owned or managed by the NCS in accordance with a schedule drawn up by NCS. As such, N/As on wishing to use any of the Sports facilities at NCS should formally write to request for use of the facility, clearly stating the event (As per respective N/A Activity Calendar) and intended duration of use.

NCS shall thereafter revert back to the N/A with the availability of the sports facility and NCS may charge a nominal fee for use of the sports facility, mainly for maintenance purposes

The N/A is required to provide security, medical support and hygiene while using the facilities.

b) Private users

Private Users may also access the sports facilities by formally writing to NCS or sending an email to marketing@ncs.go.ug to request for the use of the Sports Facilities. NCS shall thereafter revert back with availability of the facility on the requested for date and the cost implication.

Confirmation of booking for private users shall be upon payment of 50% of the agreed cost plus other agreed upon Terms and Conditions.

For more information, email: marketing@ncs.go.ug

Sports is one of the fastest growing industries and the benefits/opportunities are immerse and cannot be understated both nationally and globally. Accordingly, NCS would like to leverage on these opportunities by partnering with interested parties/organizations. The following are the benefits of partnering with NCS;

1. Sports Tourism
2. Sports Merchandise
3. Fundraising platforms
4. Advertising opportunities
5. Corporate Social Responsibility

For more information, email: info@ncs.go.ug

There are many ways to show support and help us attain the goals and objectives of Sports devlopment. Here are a few:

1. Make a Donation
2. Provide Sports Equipment (Either used and new)
3. Technical Capacity/Training 
4. Direct Funding
5. Medical Outreaches
6. Exchange programmes
7. Scholarships