The Board of Trustees of Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium has finally come out to clarify on the ongoing development at the facility revealing that they have neither sold nor leased any part of the stadium.
In a press conference held at the stadium on Tuesday, chairman board of trustees Godfrey Mabirizi revealed that the board passed a resolution to redevelop the stadium infrastructure starting with park yard side of the stadium something that was reached after cabinet approved the development of the facility under Public Private Partnership (PPP) project.
“In September 2009, cabinet among other things approved the redevelopment and upgrading of Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project and the areas and infrastructure around the stadium to be incorporated in the planning of the project,” read part of the statement.
Mabirizi went on to reveal that Ham Enterprises was approved by the board to carry out phase one which started with the part of Park Yard but quashed reports that a one Bosco Muwonge has already been given responsibility for phase 2 which is redeveloping the side that harbors the Kampala Boxing Club (KBC).
“We signed an agreement with Ham Enterprises for phase 1 and we are proud he is doing a good job,” Mabirizi said.
“The shops attached to the stadium at the moment are for generation of sustainable income which is currently used to set up modern indoor sports facilities and a modern netball pitch whose construction is already ongoing and the developer has assured us it will be done in three months time from now,” he added.
“Reports that phase 2 has already been given to Muwonge is false as we are still in the process of selecting a private party after receiving many applicants following the advertising we did in the Uganda Gazette.”
On the fate of KBC, Mabirizi assured all boxing lovers and the gym management that part of phase 2 is meant to construct a sustainable and upgraded facilities amongst which is the boxing gym.
“We are not evicting KBC as is reported in some parts of the media. Like we’re doing with the netball court, we intend to set modern and upgraded facilities including a gym among others. So this should allay fears of losing the existing facility but instead bless for a modern one,” he affirmed.
Asked when all the redevelopment is expected to end, Mabirizi confidently replied that they expect everything to be completed in three years.
Meanwhile, board member Fred Katerega was bitter with KBC management saying they have no right to stand in the way of redevelopment and the board has no obligation to consult them before agreeing with a private partner.
“They are just tenants of Nakivubo who pay Ugx. 100,000 as monthly rent,” a bitter Katerega stated. “They don’t in anyway qualify to be called bonafide occupants and thus have no right over Nakivubo,” he added.
Nevertheless, Kateregga promised that a modern boxing gym and facilities for other sports will be constructed as part of the redevelopment.