Namboole Stadium works on course, Minister Ogwang assures Ugandans

The Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang, has reassured Ugandans that ongoing works at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, are progressing according to plan.

The minister tweeted a video of himself inspecting the facility and accompanied it with assurance to the public that there is progress.

“Upon return from Kabale, I went straight to inspect the ongoing renovation works at Namboole National Stadium,” Ogwang said in a tweet posted on his official Twitter handle.

“I am glad to inform the country that all the necessary equipment and materials are now in place and works are going on uninterrupted,” he added.

The ongoing works are projected to be completed on November 30, 2023, an extension of four months from the initial set date of completion on August 1, 2023.

In March, the minister revealed that the stadium would be available for use in June.

That was on against the backdrop of the Uganda Cranes hosting their Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier game with Tanzania in Egypt.

Since those statements, the Cranes have gone on to host Algeria in Cameroon while the Crested Cranes are fresh from Rwanda, where they played both of their Olympic Qualifiers games against the She Amavubi.

The minister came out to apologise to Ugandans on the floor of parliament.

Uganda remains without a stadium that meets the minimum standards required to host top-level football, and Namboole’s completion will come in handy.

“Once completed, the Stadium will be one of the best in the region with all major indoor facilities.”

The Namboole project involves the creation of a 4.2km perimeter fence, refurbishment and elevation of the stadium and hotel to meet FIFA standards.