Entebbe, Uganda: President Yoweri Museveni has urged Uganda’s sports leaders to work with the Ministry of Health to promote a nationwide public education campaign on nutrition and discipline, arguing that long-term sports excellence must be built on a healthy and well-fed population.
“Why can’t the sports fraternity partner with the Ministry of Health through the districts and go on radio every two weeks to talk about good nutrition, public health, and discipline?” Museveni asked during a luncheon hosted on Wednesday, June 25, at State House Entebbe to celebrate Uganda’s rising sports stars.
“Families need to learn how to feed their children well. Matooke with salt is not enough,” the President added, emphasizing the need for body-building proteins and healthier lifestyles. “We must teach people about body-building foods, proteins, and avoiding sickness from alcohol and promiscuity.”
The President made the remarks while honoring three national teams that have put Uganda on the global sports map. These included: the Uganda U17 Men’s National Football Team (The Cubs), now the first Ugandan football team in FUFA history to qualify for a FIFA World Cup; the Gazelles, Uganda’s Senior Women’s National Basketball Team, who qualified for AfroBasket 2025; and the Uganda Lady Cranes 15s Rugby Team, newly promoted to the Africa Performance Division after sweeping wins in Côte d’Ivoire.
He listed ongoing stadium upgrades, including Namboole, Hoima, Akii Bua, and Nakivubo, as part of the government’s strategy to build a sports infrastructure foundation. He also called for rehabilitation of older venues like Kakyeka and Maluku, and asked technical officials to explore cost-effective options.
Museveni attributed these successes to peace, universal education, and the country’s slowly maturing talent pipeline, saying Uganda was only beginning to tap into its potential.
“When we brought peace and expanded the school system, especially Universal Primary Education, you began to see talent emerge. And yet, we have not even addressed areas like nutrition or built enough stadiums,” the President said.
Alongside him, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, praised Uganda’s emerging sports stars and thanked her husband for “sacrificing to ensure a stable and enabling environment.”
“Your Excellency, I want to start by thanking you for always making the time to celebrate our young people who continue to raise our flag globally,” she said.
Janet Museveni emphasized the role of discipline and godliness in sustaining sports success. “To our young sportsmen and women, it is my prayer that you will continually embrace discipline and the fear of the Lord in your lives. Discipline is the key to enduring success.”
She also credited the stable political environment for allowing sports talent to thrive, and reaffirmed government funding through the National Council of Sports (NCS).
Hon. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, the State Minister for Primary Education, hailed the event as a “powerful affirmation” of how much Uganda values sports and its ambassadors.
“When the Head of State stands with the sports fraternity, it becomes a national call to elevate sports as a pillar of development and identity,” Hon. Kaducu said.
She also commended the First Lady for championing not only academic excellence but also sports transformation through infrastructure development and inclusive policy.
As Uganda prepares for more global appearances, President Museveni stressed the country’s natural athletic advantages, including high-altitude training zones and strong regional builds, noting, “The mountains of Kapchorwa produce athletes with strong lungs and muscles… The talent is there, we just need to organize it.”
He ended with a reminder that determination, not extravagance, would define Uganda’s rise in global sports. “In the army, we didn’t have enough money, but our soldiers were determined. In the same way, let’s not be extravagant. Let’s use the little we have to build a strong foundation for our sports sector.”
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