Makerere Indoor Arena finally nearing completion

The 5000-seater Makerere university Indoor Arena that has been constructed by UPDF | Photo Credit: Courtesy

SPORT Makerere Indoor Arena finally nearing completion

Shafic Kiyaga 14:15 - 21.03.2023

Construction of the stadium, which has been ongoing for five years now, has been delayed for various reasons including disruptions due to COVID-19, and internal financing.

Makerere Indoor Arena, which has been under construction since 2018, is finally nearing completion, giving hope to sports enthusiasts in Uganda.

The stadium was initially built to host the World University Netball Championships in 2018, but after the competition ended, work on the stadium stalled.

Construction of the stadium, which has been ongoing for five years now, has been delayed for various reasons including disruptions due to COVID-19, and internal financing.

However, works on the facility have progressed well since it was partially re-opened in February last year, as construction continued on other parts of the facility.

According to Kabenge, most of the work has been completed, with only the second coat of paint remaining.

Once completed, the stadium will help to solve the shortage of sports facilities in the country and will be used by the Uganda Netball Federation to host friendly matches.

“Most of the facilities are finished at the Arena and we shall now apply the final touches, like repainting some areas,” Kabenge said.

“Given the progress of the construction work, we expect it to be complete by May rather than June which we had projected earlier.”

“Once complete, I know it will be of great importance to the sports sector as it will solve the shortage of stadiums in the country,” she explained.

Inaugurated with a historic victory for Uganda in the World University Netball Championships in 2018, the facility valued at UGX 6bn includes wash-rooms, parking, and office space.

The facility was originally planned to have a 3,000-seating capacity, has been expanded to 5,000 after the UPDF engineering brigade was contracted to take on the work.

The She Cranes, Uganda's national netball team, will use the stadium to prepare for the Netball World Cup and host the African Netball Championships.

Tags: