Uganda’s Bernard Patrick Ogwel has handed over leadership of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Advisory Board after completing his two terms, leaving behind a legacy of strategic planning, stronger governance systems and renewed focus on the development of sport across the continent.
The transition took place during a two-day advisory board meeting at Mestil Hotel in Kampala on October 19–20, which also ushered in Mozambique’s Julio Mendes as the incoming chairperson.
Ogwel, who doubles as National Council of Sports (NCS) General Secretary, expressed satisfaction with the milestones achieved during his tenure, which coincided with Uganda securing hosting rights for the 2031 African Games.
“I have served my two terms and I am proud of the milestones. It is good that we have hosted the advisory board in Uganda but also received confirmation of Uganda hosting the African Games in 2031,” Ogwel said.
“I have served my two terms and I am proud of the milestones.
It is good that we have hosted the advisory board in Uganda but also received confirmation of Uganda hosting the African Games in 2031,” Ogwel said.
Under his leadership, the AUSC developed its 2024–2028 five-year strategic plan, establishing a framework to guide continental sports development.
Digital monitoring and evaluation systems were also introduced to strengthen accountability, performance tracking and evidence-based decision-making.
The council further advanced priorities covering safeguarding, sports integrity, anti-doping, gender equality, disability inclusion, capacity building and governance of the African Games.
Ogwel urged the incoming leadership to sustain these initiatives while strengthening support for the secretariat and protecting the interests of member states.
He also emphasised the importance of ensuring the African Games remain a credible, sustainable and distinctly African multi-sport event.
“The African Games remain the flagship multi-sport event of our continent and a powerful symbol of African unity, excellence and solidarity,” he said.
Mendes, meanwhile, pledged to build on the discussions held during the Kampala meeting, stressing the need to create conditions that encourage wider participation and accelerate sports development across Africa.
The assembly was officially opened by NCS Board Chairman Ambrose Tashobya, who described Uganda’s hosting of the meeting as a vote of confidence in the country’s growing ambitions as a continental sports destination.
“Hosting this meeting in Uganda is a vote of confidence in what Uganda is able to do. This goes a long way in positioning ourselves as a sports hosting hub,” Tashobya said.
He called on African sports leaders to harness the continent’s youthful population, invest in infrastructure and strengthen sport’s contribution to economic development.
The AUSC Advisory Board advises the Council of Ministers on strategies for promoting and developing sport through its technical and finance committees, as well as the African Games.
Uganda’s preparations to host the 2031 African Games will provide an important test of the continent’s ambitions to expand its sporting infrastructure, participation and international influence.
