UGANDA Law and Practice Contributed by: Timothy Kajja, Nanyonjo Janet Pheobe and Jolly Kibalama, Engoru, Mutebi Advocates
ited liability companies. Clubs owned by individuals are registered as companies limited by shares, while community‑owned clubs are registered as companies limited by guarantee, without shares. This corporate structure enables clubs to attract investment more effectively and to access various financing models, including loans and grants. 4.2 Corporate Governance Codes There are generally no unique corporate governance codes specifically designed for sports entities in Uganda. However, there are certain adopted practices that uphold core corporate governance standards. For sports federations and associations, the regu - lator – the National Council for Sports – requires them to maintain a constitution, hold annual general assemblies, conduct regular elections, and have their accounts audited annually. Sports clubs in Uganda also do not have distinct corporate governance codes. Since many clubs are incorporated as companies, they follow general corporate governance principles. Additionally, some sports federations, such as FUFA, have established minimum governance standards. These include requirements for clubs to employ a minimum num - ber of staff, maintain a separate bank account, and hold a specified number of meetings. These standards function as licensing conditions for each competitive season. Uganda does not apply a fit‑and‑proper test for direc - tors or owners of sports entities. The main require - ments are disclosure of these individuals and ensuring that no officials use the club as a vehicle for money laundering. There are also no penalties for clubs that become insolvent. However, in football, any change in a club’s name or ownership must receive prior approv - al from the relevant federation, such as FUFA. 4.3 Sport Funding The government is the primary funder of sports in Uganda. In the forthcoming financial year (2026– 2027), the state has allocated UGX1.5 trillion to the sports sub‑sector. Most of this funding will go toward
the construction and improvement of sports infra - structure. State entities also support or own sports clubs. Eight out of the sixteen Uganda Premier League clubs are owned by state entities or corporations. This includes the record league winners, KCCA FC. Other clubs under state ownership or support include Uganda Revenue Authority Football Club, Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation – Entebbe Football Club, Uganda Police, and the National Enterprise Corpora - tion, among others. Another major source of funding comes from private individuals. Ugandans such as Dr Lawrence Mulind - wa of Vipers FC and Hajji Musa Atagenda of Wakiso Giants have made significant private investments in Ugandan sports. Additionally, community clubs form another category of support, where local communities collectively contribute to sustaining their local teams. 5. Intellectual Property, Data and Data Protection 5.1 Trade Marks The sports landscape in Uganda features a wide range of local and international trade marks. Most of these trade marks are owned by clubs across various sport - ing disciplines, including football, rugby, basketball, motorsport, and netball. Trade marks are protected properties under the Trademarks Act, Cap 225. Both local and interna - tional marks may be registered in Uganda, regardless of whether they are currently in active use. However, trade mark protection is not indefinite. An initial reg - istration is valid for seven years, after which it may be renewed for successive ten‑year terms indefinitely. Unfortunately, many trade mark owners are unaware of these renewal requirements, leaving their marks vulnerable to misuse. The Trademarks Registry regu - larly publishes lists of expired marks, and recent publi - cations include major international trade marks – such as those belonging to well‑known brands like FIFA – where little or no effort has been made to renew them. This situation creates opportunities for trade
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