By: Catherine Kasemeza
The three-day USSSA Sports Administration and Management Course came to a successful end on January 29, 2025 at Ntare School in Mbarara City, Western Region. The course which began on January 27, 2025 brought together participants from various districts in the Western Region including Hoima, Ibanda, Kabale, Kabarole, Rubirizi, Kasese, to mention but a few.
The course was conducted by instructors including Alfred Patrick Okanya, Head of Capacity Building; Deo Mutabazi, President of the Uganda Beach Soccer Association; Omaria Bosco, Head of Marketing and Communications at USSSA; and Dr. Vincent Sajjabi, a FUFA Instructor and lecturer at Makerere University.
Throughout the three days, participants engaged in modules focused on effective governance culture in Sports Associations, USSSA and it’s development activities, communication and media relations. These sessions equipped the participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to transform sports in Uganda and beyond.
During the closing ceremony, Kyagela Hakim, Representative of all participants, urged his fellow participants to put their newfound knowledge into practice. “My fellow participants, let’s go and serve! We have been equipped with knowledge, let’s use it effectively. I congratulate everyone for finishing this course successfully.”
Wilson Ndeze, Deputy in charge of Academics Ntare School.Ntare School was thankful to USSSA for always choosing them to host their events. “We appreciate associating with USSSA in all activities and we promise to always do. We may not have offered the most comfortable hosting especially in areas of accomodation but we know you’re people of sports and fitness so you could have tried out to. We thank you for the discipline exhibited because we didn’t record any issues. We shall always welcome you home whenever you wish to come.” He said
Alfred Patrick Okanya, Head of Capacity Building, “We thank Ntare School for hosting us. Currently, we’re focusing on seven key areas of capacity building: Coaching, Refereeing, Media, First Aid and Injury Management, Safeguarding, and Administration and Management. We had a total of 60 participants from primary, with 29 females and 31 males, and for secondary, a total of 63, with 19 females and 44 males. Let’s go and make a change.”
Gilbert Orikiriza, Chief Guest and Education Officer, Physical Education and Sports, commended USSSA for its efforts in training learners to work in the sports field. “I appreciate USSSA for training learners to work in the sports field. You’ve had opportunities to interact with professionals, and I’m proud that you’ve made the Ministry shine! At the Ministry of Education and Sports, we expect high levels of professionalism and integrity to elevate sports. And soon, we’ll have a unified School Sports Association. Capacity building trainings are aimed at empowering our games teachers to deal with their own students during games.”
The participants received certificates upon completing the course, and were represented by Kyagera Hakim, Byenkya Rashid, Ninsiima Moreen, Jackson Kakure Kalungi and Kinkuhaire Allen.
As the course came to a close, the participants departed with a renewed sense of purpose, equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to make a positive impact in the sports sector.
