The Uganda Olympic Committee has held a two-day seminar at the Source of the Nile Hotel in Jinja as part of its ongoing sportswomen empowerment campaign ©UOC/Facebook

The Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) has held a two-day seminar at the Source of the Nile Hotel in Jinja as part of its ongoing sportswomen empowerment campaign.

Entitled the "Women in Sport Mentorship Academy", the seminar attracted 100 sports enthusiasts and comes on the back of a series of women in sports workshops in Uganda’s capital Kampala.

"We are the only National Olympic Committee to have run such a programme for women in the world," said UOC President William Blick. 

"We have now decided to focus on areas outside Kampala.

"After here, we will tap into the west, northern Uganda and other upcountry areas.

"I believe there are very many women out there who can contribute to the development of sports in Uganda."

Daudi Migereko, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in the cabinet of Uganda, promised to help market Ugandan sportswomen.

"I have noticed that our sports personalities don’t benefit enough from their statuses," he said.

"We need to help them build brands and market them more."

The programme's best 50 female participants are to be selected and then absorbed in the different UOC Commissions and Federations so that they can put into practice what they learnt. 

"It feels good having such mentorship programmes because they definitely motivate women to take part in the male dominated section and it means that we shall have more women in leadership positions which encourages us," said female football coach Majidah Nantanda. 

UOC President William Blick officially opened the Women in Sport Mentorship Academy alongside UOC Women in Sport Commission chairperson Annet Nakamya
UOC President William Blick officially opened the Women in Sport Mentorship Academy alongside UOC Women in Sport Commission chairperson Annet Nakamya ©UOC/Facebook

Earlier this month, the "Empowering Women into Sport Leadership in Uganda" white paper was launched at a celebration conference to mark International Women’s Day.

A total of 120 women attended the conference, which was held under the theme of "I pledge for parity".

British High Commissioner Alison Blackburne and French Ambassador Sophie Makame hailed the UOC for the initiative.

"The white paper you are launching represents a vital contribution to societal change and I wish to commend your commitment and audacity with which you are promoting women empowerment into sports administrators," said Makame. 

Blick pledged to organise more capacity building courses, particularly for women, and promised that at least 600 women in Uganda will be "empowered".

UOC Women in Sport Commission chairperson Annet Nakamya pledged to carry out the vision and mission of the white paper which is geared towards increasing and developing sustainable equity for women in both participation and leadership sports positions in Uganda.