By Our Reporter
The National Council of Sports (NCS) General Secretary Dr. Bernard Patrick Ogwel has been appreciated with a new five-year term, Sports Torch can confirm.
The extension was sanctioned by the minister of education and sports, also the First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni in appreciation of Ogwel’s Royalty and hard work.
For his good working relations and accountability, Ogwel was also chosen by the First Lady to head the Afcon 2017 and CHAN 2025 local organizing committee finance department.
“Dr Ogwel has had his contract renewed by the First Lady on the recommendation of the state minister for sports Hon. Peter Ogwang in appreciation of his royalty, had work and innovative skills.
He has been given a longer term compared to the previous contracts so as he can oversee the Afcon 2017 preparations,” a source close to NCS tipped Sports Torch.
Ogwel, a former FUFA and FUBA executive member first joined NCS in 2017 as the assistant general secretary before replacing his former head Nicolas Muramagi who had been out of office for close to a year bedridden.
He has since significantly overseen the growth of the sports budget from mere Shs18bn to the current Shs508bn, the new Sports Act 2023, more international medals, sports infrastructure growth, formulation of a four-year NCS strategic plan among other achievements.
The Lira-born academician and sports administrator has also weathered storms with several accusations of embezzlement and corruption – although he has remained clean post every investigation.
Ogwel is seventh General Secretary after Abbot Ssebuliba (1985 – 1987), Jackson Kiraka (1988 – 89), Sam Walusimbi (1989-92), Abbey Kits Lutaya (1992- 03), Jasper Aligawesa (2004-2015) and Nicholas Muramagi (2016-2019).
