The role of regulation in Uganda’s sports sector: the adequacy of the proposed sports bill to The National Council of Sports Act

Abstract

Sports is generally defined as a competitive activity that stresses physical exertion by serious competitors who represent or are part of organized associations . The African Union Policy Framework for the Sustainable Development of Sports in Africa (2008-2018) defines ‘sports’ as a physical activity that is governed by set of rules or customs involving specific administration, governing body, organization and a historical background and often engaged in competitively. From this definition, it is clear that sport must run on a specific set of rules or regulations. The different sets of rules and regulations that govern this sector is what amounts to “Sports Law”. The Sports sector in Uganda has been regulated by the National Council of Sports Act, Cap 48 of the Law of Uganda which has gone over 55 years without any amendment. Due to the increased modernization of sports, there was a need to amend the NCS Act which led to the tabling of the National Sports Bill, 2022. However, ‘sports’ is a very diverse sector which requires the application of other laws like the Employment Act, Contract Act, Trademarks Act, Insurance Act among others. This research paper thus seeks to examine the role of regulation in the Sports sector. In the paper special attention will be given to the adequacy of the proposed amendments (National Sports Bill) to the gaps or areas that are not captured in the National Council of Sports Act.