KAMPALA, Uganda: President Museveni retained Peter Ogwang Ogwang as State Minister for Sports in the newly unveiled 2026–2031 Cabinet, handing the youthful minister what could become the biggest test of Uganda’s modern sports administration.
Ogwang’s retention is widely being interpreted as a vote of confidence from Museveni and the ruling NRM government at a time Uganda’s sports sector is navigating a critical period dominated by infrastructure development, international tournament preparations and governance reforms.
The Ngariam County MP returns for a second term after first being appointed Sports Minister in 2022, replacing Hamson Obua.
Before joining the sports docket, Ogwang previously served as State Minister for Economic Monitoring and earlier handled the ICT and National Guidance portfolio.
However, Ogwang’s second term is expected to be defined largely by Uganda’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which the country will co-host alongside Kenya and Tanzania.
The continental tournament remains Uganda’s most ambitious sports undertaking in decades and places enormous pressure on the Sports ministry to deliver world-class infrastructure within tight CAF timelines.
Among the most critical projects under Ogwang’s watch are the construction of Hoima Stadium and the continued modernization of Mandela National Stadium, both of which must satisfy Confederation of African Football (CAF) requirements ahead of the tournament.
Uganda has already committed approximately UGX 905 billion in the 2026/27 national budget towards AFCON-related preparations, including stadium works, logistics and operational readiness.
With CAF inspections becoming increasingly stringent, focus is now shifting toward whether Uganda can complete all mandatory works on time.
For many observers, the key question now is whether Ogwang can successfully oversee Uganda’s biggest sports infrastructure test yet.
Sports Federations, Funding Pressure
Beyond infrastructure, Ogwang also faces mounting pressure from sports federations demanding increased funding, improved athlete welfare and better governance systems.
The sports sector is currently implementing the National Sports Act and Regulations 2025, which require all sports federations and associations to comply with new governance standards by June 7, 2026 or risk losing recognition from the National Council of Sports.
The reforms are aimed at improving accountability, transparency and professional management across Uganda’s sports ecosystem.
However, several federations have raised concerns about financing and implementation capacity, increasing pressure on the Sports ministry to balance regulation with institutional support.
Commonwealth Games, Olympics
Uganda’s preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and qualification campaigns for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles are also expected to pile further responsibility onto the ministry.
National teams across athletics, boxing, rugby, football and netball continue to demand stronger government support amid growing international competition.
Critics argue that while Uganda has produced world-class athletes over the years, the country still struggles with weak sports infrastructure, inconsistent funding and governance conflicts within federations.
Supporters of Ogwang, however, say continuity at the ministry could provide stability for ongoing reforms and long-term projects.
The latest Cabinet lineup also retained First Lady Janet Museveni as Minister of Education and Sports, maintaining continuity at the top leadership of the sector.
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