Uganda Athletics has amended its 2022 Safeguarding and Welfare Policy to strengthen the protection of athletes and sports participants. The updated framework aims to close existing gaps and establish clear, transparent reporting and case management systems across the sport.
The reviews and amendments made to the 2022 Safeguarding and Welfare Policy intend to protect athletes, and participants from all forms of harm.
“Some of them are coming from the world athletics, others are coming from the government; you know the new sports act comes into play and we have to capture the provision of the new law. When we lost Rebecca Cheptegei under the gender-based violence which was not foreseen in the safeguarding, it had to be brought on board,” explained Uganda Athletics president, Dominic Otucet.
Stakeholders emphasized the need of safeguarding policies, calling on Uganda Athletics to put the revised measures into immediate effect to guarantee athlete safety and accountability.
Milton Chebet, the National council of sports (NCS) Assistant general secretary believes that the new policies will ensure that athletes are safeguarded against vices like gender-based violence which is rampant and issues to do with sexuality.
“We have seen athletes who have been sexually abused by coaches,” he noted.
Patricia Ayebare, the certified safeguarding officer with the International Olympics committee (IOC) says that the new polices give a base especially on the grassroot so that children come up knowing their rights. “Our athletes today unfortunately do not have their rights and the issue about homosexuality, it is very important for athletes to know that even when you associate with a particular sport, you are still under the laws governing a country,” she said.
Athletes and coaches have welcomed the proposed changes, describing them as a positive step towards safer sport. They however urged the authorities to ensure that the policies are implemented and not left as mere guidelines.
Bayigga Justine, a female athletes coach, says that male coaches have been disturbing some of her young girls and she believes that the new policies will help to curb the vice.
Charles Mukiibi, another athletes coach says that the talk has been there but there is need for action while Ronald Musagala, wants soft penalties replaced with hard penalties.
Some athletes have met gender-based violence when they earn some money after international success.
The revised policy seeks to establish clear and transparent reporting mechanisms, as well as effective case management systems to improve athlete welfare.
