By Happy Godwin
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has signed the National Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2024, into law, the Presidential Press Unit (PPU) announced.
The bill, which was passed by Parliament on December 19, 2024, received the President’s assent on January 27, 2025.
The legislation addresses critical gaps in Uganda’s anti-doping framework, aligning it with the World Anti-Doping Code and ensuring the independence of the National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO).
This move comes after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) flagged Uganda’s existing regulations under the National Sports Act, 2023, as non-compliant, threatening to ban Ugandan athletes from participating in international competitions.
The amendments explicitly enshrine the independence of NADO, insulating it from domestic interference.
Additionally, the law formally adopts the World Anti-Doping Code, bringing Uganda into full compliance with its obligations under the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport, which the country ratified in 2007.
The swift enactment of this legislation safeguards Uganda’s hosting rights for major international tournaments such as CHAN and AFCON and ensures Ugandan athletes remain eligible to compete in global sports competitions.
