Dr Donald Rukare did not mince his words, the fight against doping will not be won in testing rooms alone but through education and honest engagement with athletes.
“It is important that athletes are educated, and we have been conducting workshops to ensure they understand what is on the prohibited list,” said the Uganda Olympic Committee president as Uganda unveiled the National Sports Anti-Doping Regulations 2025.
Speaking at a joint engagement organised by the National Council of Sports (NCS) and the Uganda Olympic Committee, Rukare addressed officials from various federations, setting the tone for a renewed national push for clean sport, one that puts prevention on the same level as enforcement.
The new regulations, introduced amid increased global scrutiny, aim to protect athletes from accidental violations while strengthening Uganda’s credibility internationally. Rukare stressed that ignorance can no longer be an excuse, insisting that education must be the first line of defence.
The message was reinforced by the National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO), which confirmed that implementation of the regulations has already begun. NADO called on federations and associations to actively engage with the process.
“Our aim is to ensure federations not only engage with the regulations but fully understand and implement them,” NADO said, noting that collaboration will be key to their success.
Brighton Barugahare, chairperson of the Anti-Doping Regulations Task Force, said the new framework would raise standards across Ugandan sport. He emphasised that while NADO operates independently, its focus remains on safeguarding fair competition.
“NADO is independent but committed to reducing doping cases, which can damage the credibility of our sports and affect Uganda’s participation in international competitions,” Barugahare said.
The 2025 regulations follow amendments to the National Sports Act passed in 2024, reforms that aligned Uganda with the World Anti-Doping Code after warnings from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
