Namboole Stadium Renovations Below Par – CAF

The ongoing renovation efforts at Namboole Stadium are facing intense scrutiny following a recent report by CAF (Confederation of African Football) inspectors, who deemed the quality of construction below par for hosting CAF-sanctioned games.

In disclosures made in Parliament, it was revealed that CAF officials had previously visited Uganda and expressed dissatisfaction with the progress and caliber of renovations at Namboole Stadium.

The government has reportedly invested a substantial sum, exceeding UGX 97 billion, towards the refurbishment of the stadium.

In light of these revelations, Speaker Anita Among has instructed Peter Ogwang, the Minister of State for Sports, to furnish a comprehensive report on the expenditure of the UGX 97 billion allocated to the Namboole Stadium renovations.

This directive was prompted by concerns voiced by John Nambeshe, the Opposition Chief Whip, who expressed disappointment over the Minister’s failure to fulfill promises regarding the stadium’s construction.

The inspection report underscored significant shortcomings in the current state of the stadium, indicating that the ongoing works do not meet the requisite standards for CAF approval. This situation has raised pressing questions about fund utilization and the competence of the UPDF Engineering Brigade overseeing the renovations.

Silas Aogon, representing Kumi Municipality, has called for accountability and recommended that those responsible for the substandard work resign. He emphasized the urgent need to address construction gaps to avoid missing crucial opportunities, such as hosting qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Jonathan Odur of Erute South cautioned that Uganda’s failure to rectify the issues highlighted by CAF’s inspection could jeopardize the country’s chances of hosting prestigious tournaments like CHAN (African Nations Championship) and AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations), for which Uganda has submitted bids.

The concerns raised by CAF inspectors echo previous warnings from FUFA (Uganda Football Association) President, Hon. Moses Magogo, who criticized the quality of work carried out by the UPDF engineering brigade. Magogo urged the government to engage a competent and experienced contractor to ensure the successful completion of Namboole Stadium’s renovation.