UGANDA Trends and Developments Contributed by: Timothy Kajja, Nanyonjo Janet Pheobe and Jolly Kibalama, Engoru, Mutebi Advocates
Many states consult with WADA before passing anti- doping laws; those that do not often face early amend - ments. Athlete education remains a major challenge, especially given the complexity of the Prohibited List and the possibility of ingesting banned substances through common local foods. Funding is a serious concern. Africa contributes less than 1% to WADA’s global funding, and several states default on obligations. Limited access to accredited labs further complicates regular testing. Nonetheless, Africa has strengthened intelligence- sharing and cross-border investigations through co- operation between anti-doping and security agencies. Education campaigns featuring iconic athletes are reshaping the continent’s anti-doping culture. Player transfers Player transfers underpin the modern sports business. Historically, African transfers were marked by infor - mality and exploitation, but significant improvements have occurred across men’s and women’s sports. The value and volume of intra-African and internation - al transfers continue to rise. African coaches are also gaining prominence: at AFCON 2025, all semi-finalist teams were led by African coaches for the first time. The FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) remain a key guiding framework, influ - encing many sports bodies across the continent. Insurance in African sports Professional sport carries inherent risk. Without robust insurance, athletes face devastating financial and career consequences from injuries. Medical and loss- of-career insurance are crucial for athletes in high- impact sports like football, rugby, and athletics. Many leagues, such as Tanzania’s and Kenya’s top- tier football leagues, require player insurance – though enforcement is inconsistent. Lower-division athletes often compete without any insurance coverage, leav - ing them vulnerable to career-ending injuries and dependent on fundraising for medical expenses.
Clubs and event organisers also require third-party liability insurance and directors and officers insurance to mitigate operational risks. While adoption across Africa remains uneven, awareness and uptake of insurance products are steadily increasing. Women in sports Women’s sport is one of Africa’s fastest-growing sec - tors. Competitions such as the CAF Women’s AFCON and the CAF Women’s Champions League have accelerated professionalism. National federations are increasingly mandated to run women’s leagues across various sports. Challenges persist – limited professional contracts, inadequate facilities, and under-representation in gov - ernance – but ongoing reforms are driving progress. Recent initiatives include the following. • AUSC forums recommending 40% women’s leadership representation and safe sports environ - ments. • The 2025 African Women in Sports Summit in Kampala addressing gender equity and GBV pre - vention. • The 2025 Dakar International Conference on Women and Sport focusing on leadership barriers. • South Africa’s 2025 allocation of ZAR250 million for school sports with emphasis on girls’ participation. • World Athletics’ gender parity targets and new Ally - ship Award. • UN Women’s 2025 partnership with the Interna - tional Working Group on Women and Sport. • Mentorship programmes from the BAL and others to boost employability for women. The Maputo Protocol and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights continue to underpin women’s rights and gender equality within African sport. Sustainability and environmental governance Africa – despite contributing the least to global emis - sions – faces severe climate impacts that affect sport. Rising temperatures disrupt training, weather extremes damage infrastructure, athletes relocate to cooler countries, events are cancelled, and drought conditions impact athlete nutrition.
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