After She’s Exceptional Performance in the Fast5 Netball Series, MPs Urge Sports Sector Funding

The outstanding performance of Uganda’s national netball team, the She Cranes, has reignited discussions on the prioritizing of the sports sector, with Parliament ordering the government to release monies allotted for the 2022/2023 fiscal year.

The She Cranes finished fifth in New Zealand’s First Five Netball Series over the weekend. The team defeated Australia, the top-ranked team, 32-30.

Such accomplishments, according to Anita Among, demonstrate that the government should prioritize athletics.

“I would like to congratulate our girls, and as we prepare our budget, we must make athletics a priority. As women, we must encourage our girls,’ remarked Among.

She instructed the Ministry of Finance to provide a release schedule for the first and second quarters’ money.

“It is quite unfortunate that, despite the fact that the House earmarked funds for sports, the funds were not disbursed in accordance with the appropriations. “Sports are an excellent mobilizing tool,” she remarked, adding, “it is the best thing for tourism.” When a sports team is playing really well, the country is being sold.
Solomon Silwany (NRM, Bukooli County Central) requested that the Speaker instruct the Minister of Finance to recommit to the release of the money.

“The Ministry of Finance has categorically refused to assist the sports community. Silwany stated, “We need to call the Minister for the fourth time to come and reaffirm that he will provide the Ministry of Sports with all budgeted funds.”

The Minister of State for Privatisation and Investment, the Honorable Evelyn Anite, said that the Ministry of Finance will commit to the release of money on November 9, 2022.

“The reason we were unable to distribute the money in its entirety was that in the first quarter, we had difficulty mobilizing resources because we had just concluded the aggressive Covid-19 and were unable to collect revenue from our taxpayers,” explained Anite.

She continued, “The good news is that this is in the past, we have been able to mobilize resources, and we will release all of the funds that were appropriated by Congress.”

Asuman Basalirwa, a member of parliament for Bugiri Municipality, attributed difficulties in the sports industry on what he termed “archaic laws.”

“The law that oversees sports in this country is a contributing factor to the issue. This explains the government’s delay in releasing funds and some of the misunderstanding in the sports industry, according to Basalirwa.

He accused the administration for obstructing the efforts of the honorable Moses Magogo, a representative from Budiope East, to bring the National Sports Bill.

“Did the government intentionally impede our Bill? Why do you not present the Bill at this time, and why are we suffering?” Basalirwa pondered.
The administration argued that there is a need for additional consultations on the bill’s financial ramifications, hence the first reading of the bill was postponed.

The bill was intended to be introduced by Magogo on 9 March 2022, but the then-Government Chief Whip, the Honorable Thomas Tayebwa, stated that co-sponsorship was required due to the bill’s numerous financial ramifications.

Among, however, asked Magogo to introduce the bill for its first reading on November 9, 2022, stating that any necessary harmonization should have occurred in committee.

“The Bill was essentially approaching its first reading. “I see no reason why an individual should be prevented from exercising his constitutional right to introduce a private member’s bill,” said Among.

The Government Chief Whip, the Honorable Hamson Obua, who was once the Minister of State for Sports, indicated that the Bill was suspended awaiting a review of the sports strategy.