Nakivubo war memorial Stadium in the heart of Kampala under construction. This photo was taken five months ago. Work is ongoing. Let’s support the developer Mr. Hamis Kiggundu
● Funds to construct more two National Stadiums will be allocated both in 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 Budgets
BY MOSES MUGALULA
THE Parliament of Uganda has already recomended two stadiums, Nakivubo war Memorial Stadium which is under reconstruction by tycoon Hamis Kiggundu and Mandela National Stadium Namboole to host the 2030 AFCON matches, this investigative News Website can exclusively report.
A stadium may only be used to host such an event if the structural and technical condition of the stadium complies with the host nation’s safety requirements and a safety certificate has been issued by the relevant authority. The two, Parliament believes will pass the test.
Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa’s St. Mary’s Kitende Stadium has been left out. It can’t qualify to,host AFCON finals.
Parliament will also, in the next financial years 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 allocate funds to construct more two State-of-art National Stadiums, one expected at Naggulu in Kampala, and then we will be good to go!
This information was revealed to us by one of the Members of Parliament (names withheld) who closely followed what transpired in a meeting between the Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among and her guest Dr. Patrice Motsepe, when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) President visited Uganda in mid July, this year.
Both, President Museveni (who also hosted the visiting CAF supremo) and Speaker Anita Among lobbied Dr. Motsepe to endorse Uganda to host AFCON 2027.
Originally there was a plan for Uganda to co-host with neighbouring Tanzania the 2027 African Cup of Nations due to lack of enough stadiums, a deal, visiting CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe had bought!
However, Uganda changed its mind, and settled for constructing more two Stadiums on addition to Namboole and Hamis Kiggundu’s Nakivubo war memorial stadium to be able host AFCON alone.
Construction of a magnificent Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium is on advanced stage, thanks to the son of the soil Haji Hamis Kiggundu who is spending sleepless nights to make sure the construction is completed in time.
Even Mandela National Stadium is under renovation. For some time, this stadium has not been in use since it was turned into a treating centre for Covid 19 patients in 2020.
For starters, a stadium is where a match is played. This includes the entire premises (to the extent that an accreditation card is required in order to gain access) of the stadium facility inside the outer perimeter fence and (on match days and on any day on which any official team training session takes place within the stadium) the aerial space above such stadium premises.
Stadium also includes all parking facilities, VIP/VVIP and hospitality areas, media zones, concession areas, commercial display areas, buildings, the field of play, the pitch area, the broadcast compound, the stadium media centre, the stands and the areas beneath the stands.
Parliament believes, with the completion of Namboole and Kiggundu’s Nakivubo Stadiums, and construction of other two Stadiums, AFCON wI’ll be home.
In fact during Speaker Anita-CAF President meeting at Parliament, the Bukedea district woman Member of Parliament revealed Uganda’s readiness to host the African Cup of nations 2027 will help motivate and transform lives of thousands of people directly and indirectly.
‘’Football has been a uniting factor not only in this country but globally as well. It brings together fans, players, service providers, sponsors and various other stakeholders in ways that transcend the socio-economic barriers of tribe, politics, religion and race.’’ Madam Speaker told her guest in a meeting attended by FUFA President Hon. Eng. Moses Magogo.
In his response, CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe commended the Speaker for her dedicated interest in promoting football and pledged support to ensure that Uganda successfully hosts the AFCON 2027.
Speaker told CAF President that, “Like education, talent identification and nurturing accords our budding youthful population the unique opportunity to break through in life while adding immense value to society. It’s upon this background that Parliament allotted significant budgetary resources to various Sports Federations to help support talent.’’
Dr. Motsepe was on a two day visit to the country to meet the Member Associations. He was accompanied by the President of CECAFA and Tanzania Football Federation, Mr Wallace John Karia.
The meeting at Parliament was also attended by FUFA officials led by their President Moses Magogo, FUFA CEO Edgar Watson, Communications Director Ahmed Hussein Marsha and other Federation officials.
Dr. Patrice is the founder and owner of Mamelodi Sundowns; a team in which our renowned footballer, Denis Masinde Onyango continues to ply his illustrious goalkeeping trade.
He later met President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at Statehouse.
WHY IT’S KIGGUNDU’S NAKIVUBO & MANDELA STADIUMS
Parliament believes, on their completion, the two Stadiums will meet the required standards to host CAF A type competitions. They will be up to the required standards.
Among others, CAF looks at the grass, modern floodlights, a standby generator, the dressing rooms, modern first aid and treatment facilities for players and officials, seats for individual spectators, well equipped media facilities and training facilities.
The stadiums must be equipped with a television set, a refrigerator equipped with non-alcoholic drinks, sealed mineral water bottles and waste-paper bin for bottles.
The playing surface whose measurements must comply with the Laws of the Game and upon which any match is played within a stadium, including any areas immediately behind the goal lines and touch lines.
There must be Inner perimeter that immediately surrounds the stadium building, which usually contains the turnstiles.This perimeter may comprise the stadium walls.
They are required to have a mixed zone. This is the area designated by FIFA and/or the association which is located between the team dressing rooms and the dedicated team bus pick-up area, where players may be interviewed by media representatives.
The Stadiums are also required to have an outer perimeter. This is the perimeter outside the inner perimeter, beyond which only officially accredited personnel and match ticket holders are entitled to pass on match days.
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