Uganda Faces Setback in Race for Africa's First Sports Law Title

Uganda's representation in the first-ever All Africa Universities Football Law Annual Moot (FLAM) is in jeopardy after its teams failed to secure sponsorship for the final stage in Abuja, Nigeria. Cavendish University Uganda (CUU) and Kampala International University (KIU) advanced to the semifinals, but without financial backing, they may be unable to compete, potentially allowing other African institutions to claim the prestigious title.

The FLAM competition, themed "The Role of International Arbitral Tribunals in Maintaining Contractual Stability in Football," has drawn 45 universities across the continent. CUU and KIU, alongside Adekunle Ajasin University (Nigeria) and the University of Lagos (Nigeria), are set to participate in the physical rounds scheduled for December 3-7, 2025, in Abuja. These rounds will simulate a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)-style environment, testing participants on their grasp of sports law principles through rigorous legal debates.

Founded by Pius C. Ndubuokwu, a seasoned international sports lawyer with experience in FIFA and CAS proceedings, FLAM aims to nurture future sports law experts in Africa. The event provides a platform for law students to engage with complex issues like contractual disputes and arbitration mechanisms in football, which are central to Uganda's National Sports Law framework. However, the lack of sponsorship raises concerns about the country's ability to showcase its legal talent on the continental stage.

CUU's team, led by Daniel Walusimbi, and KIU's Christine Nalubwama and George Ssenfuma have already demonstrated strong performance in online rounds. Their participation in the physical finals would mark a historic milestone for Ugandan legal education. Yet, the absence of financial support threatens their ability to compete, highlighting the challenges of resource allocation in academic sports law initiatives.

Organizers have urged relevant bodies and organizations to step in and support the Ugandan teams, emphasizing the importance of fostering legal expertise in football governance across Africa. As the competition progresses, the spotlight remains on Uganda's potential to reclaim its place in the race for the continent's first sports law accolade.