Geofrey Kayemba believes that he satisfactorily performed in his role as the shadow sports minister and is happy with the significant trajectory of the country’s sports sector. Kayemba handed over office at the end of the 11th parliament after controversially losing his Bukomansimbi South seat in the recent general elections.
Having announced that he would not go to court to contest his loss to Hassan Mukiibi Sserunjogi, Kayemba was replaced by newly elected Nansana municipality legislator Zambaali Blasio Mukasa as the new shadow sports minister.
He believes that his contribution as the shadow minister for sports has lived to expectation.
“I did advocacy and presented the people’s cause always. I fought for marginalized sports and athletes,” he noted.
Kayemba, however, notes that a lot has got to be done in order to have Ugandan sport at the best trajectory.
“The issue of equity is still a problem. You cannot have one federation getting billions while others get Shs10m a year. Ugandans have different talents and we must find comparative advantage,” noted Kayemba.
He also asked the government to always ensure value for money in reference to Hoima City stadium failure to get CAF certification to host Afcon -with few adjustments needed on the facility.
“Why would we have Hoima City stadium meant to host Afcon games from the time of project commissioning again failing to meet CAF standard standards to host the games? Let me hope the adjustments are not done at a new cost.”
Kayemba also advised the state minister for sports to avoid interfering with the administration for sports federations like boxing -which is contrary to his mandate as a minister in accordance to the new sports Act.
“The minister, by law, has no mandate to sanction any sport in the country and he should not interfere in the running of boxing in the country. Let the law he himself presented to parliament and I seconded work.
What if he sanctions a fight and someone dies? Won’t he end up in prison? Is he technical enough to understand boxing international rules and dynamics?”
Kayemba, who was in parliament on the National Unity platform ticket replaced Makindye West legislator Allan Ssewanyana as the sports shadow minister in 2021.
He is credited for reviving the vibrancy in the office and often offering alternative proposals.
