MAGNIFICENT: New looks of Nakivubo Stadium, ready to host AFCON 2027
STORY BY: MOSES MUGALULA
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA
WHAT this investigative news website told you about a year ago that leading investor Hamis Kiggundu’s redeveloped Nakivubo Stadium will be earmarked among the stadiums for Uganda to host AFCON 2027, has materialised!
It is now offcial, Inspection team from Confederation of African Football (CAF), Africa’s football governing body will tomorrow Thursday jet into the country to visit Nakivubo Stadium as Uganda’s bid to host AFCON 2027 alongside other two East African Countries, hypes! Thanks to tycoon Hamis Kiggundu for constructing this State of the art Stadium in the heart of Kampala, Uganda’s capital.
On Tuesday, Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) President Hon. Eng. Moses Magogo announced the news of CAF officials visiting on July 28-29, 2023 confirming that Nakivubo Stadium which is almost completed, will be top on the stadiums to be visited.
“Today is yet another momentous occasion for the football industry in Uganda and we are going to have more of the same in the near future as we push for the East Africa PAMOJA Bid AFCON 27.” FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim told media during a press conference at FUFA House in Mengo, Kampala.
The Budiope East NRM Legislator saud, The CAF Inspection Team will visit the three East African States. “The Team will be in Uganda on 28th and 29th July 2023. As FUFA, we have earmarked some of the venues that will be used as sample space during the inspection”, Said Eng. Magogo.
Among the samples are, Mulago Hospital (where players can be rushed to if they get injured during AFCON), Sheraton Hotel and Kampala Serena Hotel for accomodation of players and other officials, Training grounds are Kampala International School Uganda (KISU), Muteesa II Stadium Wankuluku and St. Mary’s Stadium Kitende.
For stadiums where AFCON will be played from, Magogo said, “CAF officials will visit Mandera National Stadium Namboole, Denver in Garuga and Hamis Kiggundu’s Nakivubo Stadium.”
Other stadiums proposed for construction in Lira and Hoima as per the bid submitted to CAF will also be visited.
For the Airports to be visited by CAF officials, FUFA boss named Entebbe International Airport and Kabalega Airport Hoima which is under construction.
FUFA OFFICIALS VISIT NAKIVUBO STADIUM
A few weeks ago, FUFA officials visited Nakivubo Stadium ahead of CAF offials’ visit.
FUFA team was led Vice President Owek. Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi. Other officials were D. Kizza, Rogers Mulindwa, Ronnie Kalema and CAF certified licencing officer Sumaya Hood.
They were taken around by Ham Enterprises General Manager Omulangira Edward Nakibinge who was in company of Eng. Christopher Omara and Ivan Ssewankambo.
FUFA officials were very grateful for the work done by investor Hamis Kiggundu saying, Nakivubo Stadium passes test to host AFCON 2027.
Now CAF team is also landing tomorrow to visit the same stadium.
DETAILS
All started when CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe visited Uganda in mid July, last year.
The visiting CAF supremo first held meeting with the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament Annet Anita Among before the two met the Head of State Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at Nakasero State House.
Both President Museveni and Speaker Anita lobbied Dr. Motsepe endorse Uganda to host AFCON 2027.
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 saying it will even help motivate and transform lives of thousands of people directly and indirectly.
In a meeting attended by FUFA boss Eng. Magago, Madam Speaker told visiting CAF President that, “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 stakehokders in ways that transcend the social-economic barriers of tribe, politics, religion and race.”
Ms. Anita Among told CAF President that like education, “Talent identification and nurturing accords our budding youthful population the unique opportunity to breakthrough in life while adding immense value to society.”
“It is upon this background that Parliament allotted significant budgetary resources to help support talent.” Said Speaker Anita Among.
In his response, Dr. Patrice Motsepe who was accompanied by the President of CECAFA and Tanzania Football Federsation Mr. Wallace John Karia, commended the Speaker for her dedicated interest in promoting football and pledged support to ensure that Uganda successfully hosts AFCON 2027.
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