MARCH 2 - UGANDA will find it hard to win a medal at London 2012 but should be more optimistic for the 2016 Games, the new leader of the country's Olympic Committee said today. 

Rogers Ddungu, who defeated long-serving Francis Nyangweso earlier this year, to become the new president of the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC), warned that it will take time for his methods to bear fruit.

Uganda has not won an Olympic medal since Atlanta 1996 when Davis Kamoga finished third in the 400 metres behind America's Michael Johnson and Britain's Roger Black.

Ddungu said: "With the strong team that I have, I believe we shall make a difference in Uganda’s sports.

"It may be difficult getting a medal in London 2012 but we can get one or two in 2016.

"I am sure we shall also do well in subsequent Games and other competitions.

"We are already down to work.

"We are instituting working committees, which will do research and give us reports on how best sports can be revived and developed in the country.

"Commissions were not playing a big role in the past regime because they were not facilitated.

"That problem is being addressed and a lot is expected from them in the long run."

Ddungu is also planning to approach the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to see if they can help the UOC build new headquarters.

He said: "We are going to write a proposal to IOC and tell them we need the money to acquire a plot.

"I have already contacted property agents to stand looking for land around Kampala.

"We intend to construct a very big complex for office space and rent out the rest.

"If possible, we shall buy an old house, renovate it as a short term project.

"More proposals for different development projects are also in the pipeline.

"I also believe that if we approach Government with such proposals, they will be able to assist."