Sports Minister Peter Ogwang wants Ugandans to trust him 'for once'

Left-Right: FUFA President Moses Magogo, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, CAF President Patrice Motsepe, and State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang | CAF Image

FOOTBALL Sports Minister Peter Ogwang wants Ugandans to trust him 'for once'

Brian Aheebwa 14:33 - 18.10.2023

As Uganda gears up to jointly host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside its East African counterparts, Tanzania and Kenya, Minister Ogwang seeks renewed faith from Ugandans.

The State Minister for Sports, Honourable Peter Ogwang, has emphasized the importance of public trust in government initiatives, with a particular focus on sports.

Historically, the government has made numerous commitments to the sports sector, with several still pending fruition.

This pattern has left many Ugandans feeling disillusioned. Notable among these pledges is the redevelopment of sports facilities, such as the Buhinga Stadium in Fort Portal and the Akii-Bua Memorial Stadium in Lira.

As Uganda gears up to jointly host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside its East African counterparts, Tanzania and Kenya, Minister Ogwang seeks renewed faith from Ugandans.

"I understand the scepticism," Ogwang remarked during his appearance on the NTV Sport Knights show on Monday.

"It's palpable, especially on social platforms where the public freely airs their grievances. But securing the hosting rights for AFCON 2027 was monumental, and I assure you, we are committed to a successful execution."

He continued: "The unity in our mission is commendable. President Yoweri Museveni and the Speaker of Parliament, Honorable Anita Among, played pivotal roles in our successful bid for the event."

The significant effort behind securing the 2027 AFCON hosting rights shouldn't go unnoticed. However, with this achievement, the focus now shifts to preparations.

"We need two stadiums of international standards, but we're planning for three as a precautionary measure. Two additional structures will complement Namboole," Ogwang elaborated.

But infrastructure isn't the only concern: "From transportation, accommodations, there's a myriad of elements to consider. I'm grateful for the concerted efforts of all involved," he said.

Work at Namboole is progressing promisingly, with the minister reassuring Ugandans of its readiness and completing other stadiums by December 2026.

While the renovation timeline for Namboole has seen a few shifts, the Ministry of Education and Sports is optimistic, with a slated completion date of November 30, 2023.