By Mulengera Reporters
The National Council of Sports (NCS) has requested UGX379 billion to prepare for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and an additional UGX5.3 billion to support the Uganda Cranes’ preparations for critical international tournaments.
This was revealed on January 24, 2025, by James Kubeketerya, Chairperson of Parliament’s Education and Sports Committee, during the presentation of the committee’s report on the 2025/26 Budget Framework Paper to the Budget Committee.
“The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance allocate UGX379 billion for AFCON preparations and UGX5.3 billion for the national team’s preparations for major international championships and tournaments,” said Kubeketerya.
In September 2023, the Confederation of African Football announced Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania as co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON, set to take place between June and July 2027.
The Education and Sports Committee also urged the Ministry of Finance to allocate:
- UGX26 billion for the refurbishment of national stadiums.
- UGX3.5 billion to operationalize the National Anti-Doping Organization.
UGX10 billion for recognizing and rewarding talented athletes and redesigning the Kitante Golf Course to meet international standards.These recommendations follow the Auditor General’s 2023/24 report, which highlighted that the National Recognition and Reward Scheme under the National Sports Act Cap 151 has not been fully operationalized.
Additionally, the committee called for UGX39 billion, to be provided in phases, for the completion of the Phillip Omondi Stadium.
MPs Raise Concerns Over Low Funding to Universities
During the meeting, Members of Parliament expressed alarm over the inadequate funding for public universities. Lira University, for instance, operates with only one professor, while Makerere University has a staffing level of just 40%.
Kubeketerya highlighted that Makerere University faces budget cuts amounting to UGX30.3 billion in the coming years, affecting activities for which students pay fees. He noted that many of the university’s teaching, research, and residential facilities are over 50 years old and have deteriorated due to insufficient maintenance funding.
“Chronic underfunding has led to numerous challenges, adversely impacting the university’s ability to deliver services effectively,” said Kubeketerya.
The committee also revealed that Makerere University Business School (MUBS) received no funding for its capital development project, which requires UGX76 billion and was scheduled to start in 2024/25.
Fort Portal Central MP Alex Ruhunda expressed disbelief over Makerere’s staffing crisis, stating, “How can the oldest university in our country operate at 40% staffing? This is a crisis.”
The Budget Committee was further informed that delays in issuing admission letters to privately sponsored first-year students at Makerere affected the collection of Non-Tax Revenue (NTR).
Funding for Health Training Institutions
The Ministry of Education is seeking UGX111.18 billion to support the construction, rehabilitation, and expansion of 20 health training institutions across the country. These projects aim to strengthen the capacity of the institutions to provide quality health education and training for the health sector workforce.
“The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance provide an additional UGX11.18 billion to the Ministry of Education to complete these projects,” said Kubeketerya-Parliament Watch.(For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
