By: Senyonga Derrick
KAMPALA
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has today met and held discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) president, Mr. Thomas Bach at the Office of Prime Minister head offices in Kampala.
Saying that the Olympic movement treated everybody equally, the IOC president said that they would like to commit to support sports in Africa through the Olympic Solidarity Program in order to narrow the gap between athletes and the national Olympic committees.
PM greets the IOC President at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kampala
“The other reason why we are here is to express our commitment to Africa. Because you know in the Olympic movement there is no global south or global north.”
“And in the Olympic movement everybody is equal. And on the other hand we have to realize that there is a gap with regard to the level playing field, the athletes and the national Olympic committees. And we are about to undertake all the efforts to narrow this gap, not to close this gap, with a number of programs, the most important being the Olympic Solidarity Program, which has a budget for the next four years of 650 million US dollars to support the athletes and the national Olympic committee,” Mr. Bach said in his remarks.
During her remarks, Rt. Hon. Nabbanja underscored the crucial role OPM plays in in coordinating refugee programs and implementing the Olympic Refugee Programs supported by the International Olympics Committee (IOC).
PM Robinah Nabbanja (2nd right) flanked by the State Minister for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwanga with the IOC President at the end of the Meeting
“I recall our recent meeting in Geneva, where we discussed the potential for collaboration, which has culminated in your visit today. This is a testament to our shared vision of empowering refugees through sports.”
Nabbanja expressed hope that Uganda can have a team at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles saying that sports can serve as a powerful tool for peace, unity, and social inclusion between refugees and host communities.
“I am informed that Uganda has been selected as one of five countries to host the President of the IOC during his African Tour, a recognition of our commitment to sports and our dedication to providing a conducive environment for refugees. It is my hope that, as the country with the highest number of refugees in Africa, Uganda can present a team at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.”
PM and IOC President in a group photo
The Minister of State for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang said; “I wanted to make it on record so that when you go back to the UN, you should know that we are collaborating in areas of sports, and specifically for the refugee hosting communities. I have been to Terego, Madi-Okolo, Kiryandongo, Yumbe, purposely to check on the projects which are undertaken by government under the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development on sports infrastructure.”
During the discussions, Mr. Bach awarded the Premier an Olympic Gold medal saying: “This is the annual medal of the International Olympic Committee for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. There are only 100 pieces for signified recipients of this Olympic gold medal.”
