Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) held its Annual General Meeting where they presented their achievements, challenges for the year 2022, and planned activities for the year 2023. The annual meeting started with the review of Strategic Plan 2015-2020+1, which aimed to provide direction for the promotion of the Olympic movement and Commonwealth sport ideals for the next five years and beyond. The committee committed to exploiting 100% opportunities offered for athletes and sports development through Olympic Solidarity (OS) to achieve their goals.
In the year 2022, the UOC developed a new strategic plan (2022-2027), expanded benefits to Olympic Solidarity programs, and participated in the Commonwealth and Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation Games with good performances.
Dr. Donald Rukare, UOC President, “Despite these achievements, the UOC faced some challenges due to scant resources to implement packed activities at both UOC and National Federation and Association levels. They could not deliver on the development projects because of delays to access land.”
The President of the UOC, in his address, expressed satisfaction with the milestones achieved in 2022, given the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. They were able to hold close to 98% of the scheduled activities in their 2022 calendar. The Executive Committee meetings, quarterly council meetings with members, and the Annual General Assembly were successfully held. The Commissions were active and conducted several activities that promoted Olympism in the country. Member Federations/Associations were also active, and the UOC attended some of their activities.
The UOC in partnership with the National Forest Authority (NFA) of Uganda are looking forward to set up one of the largest Olympic Forests in the Olympic global family. NFA has provided them with over 1,500 acres of land in five locations in which the Olympic Forest will be created. The UOC also participated in the National Sports Forum and provided extensive input on draft policies and bills related to sports and physical education.
The UOC also organized national capacity building activities for its members, sports fraternity, and beyond. They犀利士 hosted the International Olympic Committee Annual Forums for all the 54 African National Olympic Committees in Kampala under the theme “Preparation for Paris 2024.” They also hosted a World Anti-Doping Training of Trainers for anti-doping educators under Regional Anti-doping Organization (RADO).
The year 2022 saw the holding of the Commonwealth Games Birmingham 2022 and the Islamic Games Konya 2022. Team Uganda was well represented with the highest numbers and put up a commendable performance, emerging 4th in Africa with 5 medals at the Commonwealth Games and 10 medals in Konya.
Looking ahead to 2023, the UOC will continue with the implementation of the Strategic Plan 2022-2027, building on the lessons learnt in 2022 and actualizing new ideas and developments. Their main target for 2023 will be participation in Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago and World Beach Games in Bali, qualification and preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Executive Committee, Secretariat, and Commissions are committed to extending services and technical assistance to all its members in 2023, and they look forward to contributions from members to the Olympic Movement and Commonwealth ideas in Uganda.