Netball Uganda unveils five-year strategic plan

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Netball Uganda has unveiled a five-year strategic plan aimed at propelling the organisation forward. The plan was introduced at its first Annual General Meeting (AGM), held at Copper Chimney, Lugogo, on Saturday.

An ambitious sh4b budget was presented to drive activities that will help maintain or improve the federation’s rankings in Africa and globally.

Netball Uganda’s vision is to remain a ‘world-class netball federation,’ with a mission to promote, regulate, grow, and develop netball into the most popular team sport for the benefit of all Ugandans.

Their core values emphasise integrity, accountability, innovation, teamwork, and inclusivity. The strategic objectives focus on enhancing governance, fostering partnerships, mobilising resources, developing technical capacity, increasing brand visibility, and improving capital and infrastructure.

The strategy was presented in an interactive session by corporate governance specialist Ivan Kalema, who engaged delegates in a lively discussion. He urged the organisation to develop a clear vision to survive competition from other sports and their adversaries.

Borrowing from Henry Ford’s famous quotes, Kalema emphasised teamwork and the importance of negotiating for what they deserve. “Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success,” he quoted.

Ivan Kalema (right) a corporate governance specialist tips delegates on how to implement their strategic plan during their AGM at Lugogo. (Photo by Michael Nsubuga)

Netball Uganda treasurer Yusuf Kamulegeya informed the assembly that they had inherited a depleted treasury. However, they devised strategies to keep the federation operational, including securing funding for the team’s travel to England for the 2025 Vitality Netball Nations Cup in February, alongside other expenses.

The sh4b budget includes expenses for the national women’s and men’s netball teams, the She Cranes and the Rock. This covers sh180m for preparations and international engagements, sh222m for a build-up game in Australia, sh87m for a test series against South Africa, Jamaica, and Malawi, and sh508m for hosting the U-21 Youth World Cup Qualifiers and participating in the Africa Netball Championship.

Additionally, sh1.83b is allocated for constructing netball courts and a Netball Uganda office at Mandela National Stadium. Other expenses, including affiliation fees to World Netball and Africa Netball, are expected to be covered by a sh3b government grant.

Focus on growth and compliance

Netball Uganda president, Jocelyn Ucanda, urged regional representatives to ensure netball is played across all regions by activating regional leagues. She stressed the importance of focusing on the game while ensuring well-organised leadership and associations.

“We were able to present our strategy as Netball Uganda. We wanted the members to know where we are, where we want to be, and how we are going to get there. We are proud that they approved the strategy, so the future is bright because we know where we are heading,” Ucanda said.

She added, “They also approved the proposed activity calendar, so the activities will roll out, beginning with the national league on April 5 at Hamz Stadium.”

Ucanda highlighted that aligning with the new sports law was a priority. “We are ready. We have some of the requirements in place, and I think we shall be among the first federations to get government recognition.”

“The biggest item in our strategic plan is governance. We need to establish structures that will work and deliver the strategy. We must set up a secretariat with a CEO, an administrator, and an accountant.

“We have presented our auditors, who have been approved by the assembly. Our focus is on the systems we have set in place and who will drive them. The executive members will not manage Netball Uganda’s day-to-day activities; that will be the responsibility of the secretariat and committees, which were also unveiled and approved,” she stated.

Ucanda emphasised the need for a steady flow of activities from regional leagues to the national league to secure licensing from the National Council of Sports (NCS) as soon as possible.

Government calls for compliance

NCS acting general secretary-technical, Sarah Chelangat, who represented the government, congratulated Netball Uganda on gaining recognition from World Netball and making the country proud.

She urged them to stay united and involve more players nationwide to grow the sport. She also reminded them of the new sports law and the need for full compliance.

“We are not going to compromise on qualifications and requirements. We expect you to comply with the regulations stipulated in the new law—read it and comply,” Chelangat implored.

She warned that government funding would only be available to federations that meet all regulatory requirements.

“I urge Netball Uganda to align your strategy and constitution with the government’s strategic direction. I also call on all stakeholders to ensure that netball is played on the ground and not just on paper,” she said.