The new federation requires active netball stakeholders

This name change will take effect once the federation is re-registered with the National Council of Sports (NCS). The assembly, which aimed to relaunch netball activities in Uganda after nearly a year of inactivity due to the NCS’s withdrawal of the federation’s certificate of recognition, was marked by tension and media exclusion.

Joan Smith, head of World Netball-Africa Development, was present. The rebranding effort seeks to distance the sport from past controversies, including financial mismanagement and internal disputes that have marred the UNF’s reputation.

Moses Mwase, chairperson of the netball normalization committee, explained that the previous name had been associated with these challenges, and delegates welcomed the new name as a sign of a fresh start for the sport. 

The members also adopted a new constitution that introduced stricter eligibility requirements for leadership positions. Notably, candidates for the presidency of Netball Uganda must hold a higher diploma from a recognized Ugandan institution and have a certificate in sports administration.

Additionally, candidates must have been active in the Netball Super League for at least five years, whether as players, officials, umpires, or administrators. Mwase noted that these provisions, initially absent from the draft constitution, were proposed by the members and unanimously accepted during the meeting.

While Mwase emphasized that these new requirements aim to professionalize governance in the sport, they faced resistance from some stakeholders. Some have vowed to challenge the provisions in court, while others plan to petition parliament for intervention. Critics argue that the rules could exclude potential leaders. 

Ronald Nakabaale, a representative from Makindye Weyonje Club, expressed concern about the requirement for a sports management certificate, suggesting it poses a challenge for many candidates. Brig Flavia Byekwaso, former vice president of the UNF, claimed that the stipulation requiring a certificate in sports administration was designed to eliminate her from the race for the presidency.

The elections for the new leadership are scheduled for October 26, 2024, at a venue yet to be determined. The meeting also agreed to grant provisional membership to all former Netball Federation members and all Netball Super League clubs.

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