The Uganda Olympic Committee will go to the polls on February 27, 2021 to elect new leadership for the next four years.
As it stands, Donald Rukare will take over the mantle from William Blick who has been at the helm since 2012.
Rukare is unopposed, just like other positions beside the two board members (Men) who will be decided on the d-day.
Rukare who doubles as the NCS Chairman launched his manifesto on Tuesday afternoon at Hotel Africana in Kampala with his family, friends, Media and Sports administrators present.
“I believe that I possess the requisite resolve, integrity, experience, commitment and skills to take up the leadership mantle of UOC,” Rukare stated.
“This is complemented by vast networks and contacts at national, regional and international level which I will be able to leverage to strengthen sports made in Uganda, coupled with my over 27 years of experience that cuts across the public, private, development cooperation, diplomatic and academia worlds.”
He pledged to uphold the provisions of the Olympic Charter and Commonwealth Games and Constitution.
He vowed to put athletes forward, give unwavering commitment to UOC mission, serve with integrity and passion and also provide inclusive, equitable and transparent leadership.
The Rise Of Donald Rukare
Rukare was born on November 4, 53 years ago.
His meteoric rise has seen him play various sports discipline including Swimming where he has won most accolades.
“I will continue swimming until my body gives way,” Rukare lightly said on Tuesday.
Rukare was named President of the Uganda Swimming Federation in 2005 before he abdicated the role after he was named the new NCS Chairman last year.
Currently, he is the outgoing Secretary General of UOC.
He holds a Doctor of Law (LLD) which he obtained at the University of Pretoria in South Africa, a Masters of Law (LLM) from Lund University in Sweden, a masters degree in sports Law from ISDE law and business school in Madrid.
Rukare’s Manifesto: Areas of Focus:
*Support to athletes, Officials and Federations:
“I pledge to support our athletes to be able to realize their full potential in sports. This is a central pillar of our tenure. Putting athletes at the center of sports made in Uganda will be one of our key priorities.
“Athletes are the reason why we sports administrators exist and we should ensure that they are supported through programs that facilitate their identification, development, preparation and eventually participation in competitions.”
Facilities: “Without the requisite facilities in place, sports made in Uganda will remain a theoretical idea. We need to work with other stakeholders like the Government of Uganda, the Ministry of Education and Sports, schools, institutions of higher learning, development partners and the private sector to explore together how we optimally utilize the available facilities and also progressively put in place and
provide new facilities and equipments.
“These facilities will include both for sports and offices for Federations/ Association. The UOC Strategic Plan 2015-2020 has been the guiding beacon over the last five years. A review of implementation of the plan will be undertaken and will form the basis for developing a new plan going forward.”
Funding: “Resources are required to promote sports made in Uganda. We shall efficiently utilize funding from the International
Olympic Committee/Olympic Solidarity through the world programs over the next quadrennial and CGF support programs.”
“In addition diversifying the resource base of the UOC/CGAU will be pursued. We would like to see the UOC/CGAU receive annual subvention from Government, receive annual funding from the national budget as well as broaden its relationships with partners and sponsors associated with sports made in Uganda.”
*Strategic Partnership: “Leveraging and fostering strategic partnerships will be another feature of our tenure. We intend to promote mutual
and beneficial partnerships at national, regional and international level to enable us attain the envisaged target above.”
