Members of the Uganda Netball Federation (UNF) have voted to rebrand the organization as “Netball Uganda” during a heated special general assembly held at the MTN Arena in Lugogo on Saturday. The name change will officially take effect once the federation is re-registered with the National Council of Sports (NCS).
The assembly, which aimed to revive netball activities in Uganda after nearly a year of inactivity caused by the NCS’s withdrawal of the federation’s certificate of recognition, was marked by tension and the exclusion of media representatives.
Joan Smith, head of World Netball-Africa Development, attended the event. The rebranding is intended to distance the sport from previous controversies, including issues of financial mismanagement and internal conflicts that have tainted the UNF’s reputation.
Moses Mwase, chairperson of the netball normalization committee, explained that the former name had been linked to these past challenges. Delegates welcomed the new name, viewing it as a fresh start for the sport in Uganda.
Netball Uganda has adopted a new constitution, introducing stricter eligibility criteria for leadership positions. One of the key changes is that presidential candidates must now hold a higher diploma from a recognized Ugandan institution and possess a certificate in sports administration.
Furthermore, candidates are required to have been actively involved in the Netball Super League for at least five years, whether as players, officials, umpires, or administrators. According to Mwase, these provisions, originally absent from the draft constitution, were proposed by the members during the meeting and unanimously approved.
Mwase emphasized that these new qualifications aim to professionalize the sport’s governance. However, the changes have sparked resistance from some stakeholders.
Several individuals have vowed to challenge the provisions in court, while others plan to petition parliament. Critics argue that the rules might disqualify potential candidates from running for leadership positions. Ronald Nakabaale, a representative from Makindye Weyonje Club, voiced concerns about the sports management certificate requirement, stating that it could pose a barrier for many aspiring leaders.
Brigadier Flavia Byekwaso, the former vice president of the Uganda Netball Federation (UNF), claimed that the requirement for a sports administration certificate was specifically intended to exclude her from the presidential race.
The elections for new leadership are scheduled for October 26, 2024, although the venue is yet to be confirmed.
Additionally, the meeting resolved to grant provisional membership to all former Netball Federation members and all Netball Super League clubs.
