President Museveni has called on Uganda’s sports leaders to step beyond the pitch and play a critical role in national health education, urging them to collaborate with the Ministry of Health in promoting proper nutrition and discipline among young people.
Speaking during a special event at State House, where he and First Lady Janet Museveni hosted a group of young athletes excelling in football, basketball, and rugby across Africa, the president praised the rise of sports talent in Uganda but emphasized the urgent need to address underlying health and wellness issues that impact athlete development.
“I urge the sports leaders to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to promote nationwide public health education, especially regarding proper nutrition and discipline among young people,” President Museveni said.
While highlighting the successes born out of peace and the expansion of education particularly through the Universal Primary Education (UPE) program the President noted that sports potential in Uganda has flourished even without a fully developed infrastructure or nutrition system.
“When we fostered peace and expanded the school system, particularly through Universal Primary Education (UPE), we began to see talent emerge. Yet, we have not addressed areas such as nutrition or constructed sufficient stadiums. However, with just peace and education, we have made significant progress. Imagine the impact when we add nutrition, infrastructure, and sports-specific programs,” Museveni said.
Museveni’s remarks signal a growing recognition at the highest levels of government that sports are not just a matter of competition, but a vital component of national health, youth development, and socio-economic growth.
He praised the First Lady for her dual role as both spiritual and administrative supporter of Uganda’s sports sector.
“I want to congratulate Maama for her dedication as a sportswoman through her prayers and administration, as well as for her stable leadership in the Ministry of Education and Sports. Congratulations to all the young athletes, and may Almighty God bless them,” he added.
The call for inter-ministerial collaboration comes as Uganda prepares for CHAN 2026 and AfCON among other sports development, where health, discipline, and structured support will be critical to transforming raw talent into global athletic excellence.
