Kampala-
The African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Sports Advisory Board has concluded its two-day meeting in Kampala, Uganda, with the election of a new Bureau and renewed commitments to advancing sport governance, development, and continental integration across Africa. This was made available to the media through an official press release yesterday.
The meeting, held from 19-20 October 2026 at the Mestil Hotel, brought together representatives of AUSC Regions, African Union Member States, and key stakeholders from across the continent to review progress on continental sport priorities and chart the way forward for African sport.
Opening the meeting, Mr Ambrose Tashobya, Chairperson of the Board of the National Council of Sports of Uganda, welcomed delegates and highlighted Uganda’s growing role as a destination for major sporting events. He emphasized the importance of sport as a catalyst for economic growth, social development, and youth empowerment, calling for increased investment in sports infrastructure and systems that create opportunities for Africa’s young population.
A major outcome of the meeting was the election of a new AUSC Sports Advisory Board Bureau:
Chairperson: Mr Julios Ambali Mendes (Mozambique)
Vice Chairperson: Mr Zenon Kasongo Kabamba (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Rapporteur: Mr Abas Bah (The Gambia)
Mr Mendes, who serves as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Sports of Mozambique and Chairperson of the AUSC Region 5 Board of Advisors, succeeds Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel of Uganda, whose tenure as Chairperson concluded after two successful terms of office.
Board members paid tribute to Dr Ogwel for his dedicated leadership and contribution to strengthening the visibility, effectiveness, and governance of the AUSC. In his farewell remarks, he urged the incoming Bureau to continue providing strategic direction and strong support to the AUSC Secretariat in driving Africa’s sport development agenda.
During the meeting, the Board reviewed progress in implementing recommendations of previous Advisory Board sessions, decisions of the African Union Executive Council, and resolutions of the Specialized Technical Committee on Youth, Culture and Sports (STC-YCS).
Discussions focused on the implementation of the AUSC Strategic Plan 2024-2028, governance reforms for the African Games, safeguarding initiatives, anti-doping programmes, and preparations for future editions of the Games. Members also considered measures to strengthen governance and accountability within AUSC structures, operationalise the Technical Committees established under the AUSC Statute, and enhance collaboration among Member States and AUSC Regions.
The Board welcomed ongoing preparations for the 15th African Games and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the institutional framework required for the successful delivery and sustainability of future editions of the continent’s premier multi-sport event.
In his acceptance remarks, Mr Mendes pledged to promote dialogue, collaboration, and coordinated action among Member States, Regions, and partners to strengthen sport systems and expand opportunities for participation in sport across Africa.
The meeting concluded with a strong commitment to harnessing sport as a vehicle for youth empowerment, social inclusion, economic development, peace-building, and continental integration, in line with the aspirations of Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want.
