PRESS RELEASE
STATUS UPDATE ON THE REMEDIAL COMPLIANCE PERIOD FOR NATIONAL SPORTS ORGANISATIONS UNDER THE NATIONAL SPORTS ACT, CAP. 151 AND THE NATIONAL SPORTS REGULATIONS, 2025
25th May 2026
National Council of Sports (NCS) wishes to update the general public, sports stakeholders, and all National Sports Organisations/National Sports Federations and Nation/al Sports Associations (NSOs) on the status of the ongoing remedial compliance exercise being undertaken pursuant to the National Sports Act, Cap. 151 and the National Sports Regulations, 2025.
As earlier communicated by NCS in its Press Release of January 2026, the NCS Board, at its sitting held in December 2025, granted all non-compliant applicant NSOs a remedial compliance period of five (5) months effective 7 January 2026 within which to fully comply with the requirements of the law.
The said remedial compliance period is now approaching its conclusion on 7 June 2026 after which, failure to fully comply with the requirements for registration as national sports organizations, shall result in automatic rejection of the applications and revocation of Certificates of Recognition in accordance with the law.
PHYSICAL VERIFICATION AND COMPLIANCE SUPPORT EXERCISE
In implementation of the Board Resolution, NCS undertook a nationwide physical verification and compliance support exercise throughout February and March 2026. The exercise was strategically designed to provide legal and technical guidance to applicant NSOs on the identified non-compliances and to assess their operational existence, governance structures, administrative systems, and adherence to the law within the granted remedial period.
The exercise involved the following key components:
1. Physical officer verification
NCS teams conducted physical visitations to the registered offices of several NSOs to verify the authenticity of submitted registration information and establish the actual operational presence of the organisations.
2. Legal and Technical Compliance Guidance
During the engagements, the teams provided guidance on addressing the outstanding non-compliance issues, particularly regarding:
i. National spread and active participation of Ugandans in the respective sports disciplines;
ii. Lawful election and composition of leadership structures;
iii. Alignment of constitutions with the National Sports Act, Cap. 151 and National Sports Regulations, 2025;
iv. Financial accountability and governance frameworks;
v. Administrative and operational compliance obligations under the law.
EXCEPTIONS AND EXCLUSIONS FROM THE EXERCISE
NCS further wishes to clarify that the due diligence exercise did not extend to certain entities for the following reasons:
1. Uganda Fencing Association
The scheduled due diligence and consultative engagement with Uganda Fencing Association at its Mbiko–Buikwe offices could not be undertaken due to the non-responsiveness and/or elusiveness of the designated contact persons.
2. Uganda Paralympic Committee
The exercise was not conducted in respect of the Uganda Paralympic Committee following guidance from the Hon. Attorney General that at an opportune time, the National Sports Act, Cap. 151 shall be amended to accommodate the Committee in its unique institutional form.
3. NSOs that Failed to Submit Applications for Registration
The exercise excluded the following six (6) organisations that failed to submit applications for registration by the statutory deadline of 20 June 2025:
i. Uganda Ultimate Frisbee Association;
ii. Uganda Floorball Association;
iii. Uganda Deaf Sports Federation;
iv. Association of Uganda University Sports;
v. Uganda Rollball Association; and
vi. Uganda Body Building and Fitness Association.
NCS has since commenced the legal process for revocation of their respective Certificates of Recognition in accordance with the law.
4. Uganda Dragon Boat Federation and Uganda Canoe Kayak Federation
At its sitting of 23 February 2026, the NCS Board resolved that the applications of the two Federations be rejected following findings that forged audited books of accounts had been submitted on two occasions. Consequently, the process for rejection of the applications has been initiated, and the concerned Federations have been required to show cause why their applications should not be rejected in accordance with the law.
STATUS OF OBJECTIONS AGAINST REGISTRATION APPLICATIONS
NCS further considered and determined twenty (20) objections lodged against the registration of eight (8) National Sports Organisations, namely:
i. Cricket Uganda;
ii. Uganda Darts Association;
iii. Uganda Draughts Federation;
iv. Uganda Lacrosse Association;
v. VX Uganda;
vi. Uganda Rowing Federation;
vii. Uganda Table Tennis Association; and
viii. Uganda Boxing Federation.
The highest number of objections were lodged against Uganda Table Tennis Association (6) and Uganda Boxing Federation (8).
The major grounds of objection primarily related to compliance with registration requirements under the Act and Regulations, including governance concerns, constitutional compliance, legitimacy of office bearers, and administrative irregularities.
At its sitting held on 23 December 2025, the affected NSOs were equally granted a five-month remedial compliance period. NCS thereafter communicated the final determination of the objections and the remedial directives to the affected organisations in February and March 2026.
NCS hereby reminds all NSOs affected by objections that their respective remedial compliance period shall expire in July and August 2026, after which failure to fully comply shall result in automatic rejection of the applications and revocation of Certificates of Recognition in accordance with the law.
CURRENT STATUS OF COMPLIANCE
NCS notes with concern that despite the extensive legal guidance, consultative engagements, and the remedial window granted by the Board, compliance levels remain significantly low.
To date, only three sports organizations, namely; Uganda Rugby, Kabaddi Federation of Uganda and Uganda Athletics, have formally submitted documentation towards remedying the identified non-compliance issues within the stipulated period. NCS is in the process of verifying this information.
NCS therefore urges all affected National Sports Organisations to utilise the remaining compliance window responsibly and expeditiously.
EXPECTATIONS BEFORE EXPIRY OF THE REMEDIAL PERIOD
All affected NSOs are required, before expiry of the remedial compliance period, to:

i. Fully address all non-compliance issues earlier communicated by NCS;
ii. Submit all outstanding documents and clarifications;
iii. Align their constitutions with the National Sports Act and Regulations;
iv. Regularise leadership and governance structures in accordance with the law;
v. Establish and demonstrate proper financial accountability systems;
vi. Demonstrate national character, operational functionality, and lawful governance;
vii. Ensure full cooperation with NCS during any remaining verification engagements.
NCS emphasizes that no further extension of the remedial compliance period should be anticipated unless otherwise determined by the NCS Board in exceptional circumstances.

CONSEQUENCES OF NON-COMPLIANCE
For avoidance of doubt, failure by any NSO to attain full compliance within the stipulated timelines shall lead to:
i. Automatic rejection of the application for registration; and
ii. Revocation of the organisation’s Certificate of Recognition,
as prescribed under the National Sports Act, Cap. 151 and the National Sports Regulations, 2025.
CONCLUSION
The ongoing registration and compliance process is a fundamental legal and institutional reform intended to promote transparency, accountability, good governance, legitimacy, and national character within Uganda’s sports sector.
NCS remains fully committed to executing its regulatory mandate firmly, fairly, and in strict accordance with the law to ensure that only compliant and properly governed organisations are entrusted with the administration and promotion of sports in Uganda.
All stakeholders are therefore encouraged to treat the remaining compliance period with the seriousness and urgency it deserves.
Issued by:

Dr. Benard Patrick Ogwel (PhD)
GENERAL SECRETARY
National Council of Sports