Experts in the sports sector have urged athletes to be cautious when signing contracts, warning that failure to fully understand agreements can undermine or even end promising careers.
They emphasized the need for athletes to seek clarity and professional guidance before committing to any deals, particularly as sports increasingly intersect with business and intellectual property rights.
Uganda Aquatics president Moses Mwase encouraged athletes to explore innovative ways to grow and sustain their careers beyond traditional competitive pathways.
“These opportunities go beyond the field of play. Athletes must think about how to build and protect their value over time,” he said.
The remarks were made during the commemoration of World Intellectual Property Day 2026, held under the theme “Intellectual Property and Sports: Ready, Set, Innovate.”
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Sports, Dr Kedrace Turyagyenda, highlighted the importance of raising awareness about intellectual property among students, linking it to the government’s broader focus on skills development.
“The focus is now on TVET, a system intended to help Ugandans know the skills they have and how to put them through practice,” she said.
She noted that institutions of learning play a critical role in equipping young people with the skills and knowledge needed to protect and maximise their ideas and talents.
FUFA president Moses Magogo stressed that commercial success in sports depends on building demand through deliberate effort.
“However much we want to commercialise, there has to be demand, and demand doesn’t just appear. It’s built through intentional branding, visibility, and putting yourself out there. Value only matters when people actually want it,” he said.
The call for greater awareness comes as athletes face increasing pressure to navigate contracts, endorsements, and branding opportunities in a rapidly evolving sports industry.