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As a result of the delay to release the remaining 17 billion, Uganda Cranes are set to be forced into hosting the upcoming World Cup qualification games outside the country.
Uganda's State Minister for Sport Peter Ogwang has put the stalled completion of the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole to the unavailability of funds.
Ogwang has stressed that the Ministry of Education and Sports has received only 80 billion shillings of the total 97 billion that was earmarked for the completion of phase one of the renovation works.
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As a result of the delay to release the remaining 17 billion, Uganda Cranes are set to be forced into hosting the upcoming World Cup qualification games outside the country.
"The total budget for the renovation of Namboole was meant and approved to be 97 billion. I want to confirm that amount so far released is 80 billion," Ogwang told the press on Thursday.
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12:43 - 11.04.2024
Uganda to host upcoming World Cup qualifiers abroad again as Namboole isn't ready
It was also disclosed that the stadium wouldn't be ready to play host to the world cup qualification matches against Botswana and Algeria slated for June 5 and 8, respectively.
"And, I also confirm that the UPDF Brigade (contractors) has undertaken works worth that amount of money (80b)."
"We did ask for additional financing for purposes of completing the stadium, because CAF has carried two inspections under our request as government," Ogwang added.
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13:14 - 28.02.2024
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Opio further revealed how one Peter Kidemuka, a soldier, told his colleagues to, "get firewood which they put under the 'mabaati' (iron sheets) with fire, and, then they asked us to lie on them."
"We want to confirm that CAF identified some impediments which were affecting the completion. Those impediments are in line with the balance of the money which we expected from the Ministry of Finance."
Uganda is set to host Botswana and Algeria in the 2026 global qualifiers slated for June 5 and 8, respectively.
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"As of now, the challenge as far as hosting the games in June is concerned, these impediments are associated with financing."
"The first question which should be directed to finance (ministry), is why they haven't released the money. The Ministry of Finance hasn't released the balance of 17 billion which should help me complete the renovation for the Stadium to be ready to host the games as per 5th June," Ogwang reiterated.
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"The problem is not Ogwang or Education (Ministry), the problem is finance. Give me 17 billion and work is completed, and we have a game at home."
"So, Ogwang is not a problem nor is it Maama Janet Kataha Museveni (First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports), the problem should be directed to Kasaija (Matia) who is our senior Minister of Finance," Ogwang noted.
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07:59 - 11.04.2024
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And, while an official communication is yet to be outed by the club, reliable sources and reports have put the sacking to undesirable results and a dire relationship between Obua and the honchos.
"Why haven't they released the money?” he questioned further before adding with a rhetoric: “because if I don't have the money, what do you expect me to do?”
Meanwhile, Shadow Minister of Sport Geofrey Kayemba Solo has for months asserted that the national stadium, will not host the games, as a result of shoddy works.
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16:18 - 28.03.2024
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"But we have a lot of hope we shall play our domestic games in our home come next season. As for the Champions League in case we win the UPL, we will use Namboole or any other available."
Over the past year (s), Uganda has hosted international matches in other countries, using Tanzania, Cameroon, Morocco, Algeria and Egypt on various occasions.
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