Speaker Among Gives UPDF Ultimatum For Namboole Renovation

Speaker Anita Among has given the UPDF Engineering Brigade a two-week deadline to complete the renovation of Mandela National Stadium Namboole.

During her stadium tour on Monday morning to assess the progress, the Speaker issued this ultimatum, following Parliament’s inquiry into State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang’s accountability for the Sh97bn allocated for the renovation. This inquiry was prompted by concerns raised in the CAF Inspection report regarding the substandard quality of the ongoing works.

However, Speaker Among expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the UPDF Engineering Brigade during the tour.

She assured them that the remaining balance of Sh17bn for the renovation had already been disbursed.

In defense, UPDF earlier attributed the incomplete work to the shortfall in funds, as they had received Sh80bn out of the promised Sh97bn.

“I am extremely impressed with what you have done here,” said Speaker Anita Among. “The notion that the work here is substandard is false.”

“Now that the requested funds have been released, let’s have the stadium ready in two weeks. After this period, the Minister of Education and Sports should invite the CAF Inspection team to assess the completed work.”

It remains uncertain whether Uganda Cranes will be able to host their two World Cup Qualifiers matches in June against Botswana and Algeria at Namboole.

It’s noteworthy that Uganda, along with Kenya and Tanzania, are set to host CHAN 2024 later this year in September as a precursor for the 2027 AFCON.

Additionally, Speaker Among instructed Minister Ogwang to relocate the defunct Pioneer Buses from the stadium premises to allow UPDF to create ample parking space.

She also mandated the Stadium Board to ensure that the land belonging to Namboole is exclusively used for sports purposes and not for any other activities without proper resolution.

Lt. Col. Eng. Peter Seku Kidemuka, the project engineer overseeing the stadium, briefed the Speaker on the progress made thus far.

The previous capacity stood at 40,000, but now it’s at 38,000, following the installation and numbering of new seats as per requirements.

“In compliance with the CAF report, we’ve ensured segregation and erected barriers to prevent unauthorized access between sections,” said Lt. Col. Eng. Peter Seku Kidemuka.

Addressing concerns about concession shortage, we’ve established eight kiosks.

He affirmed that by May 25th, “we will have concluded our work.”