The ‘re-development’ of Nakivubo stadium has been given a leeway by president Museveni after he directed the Ministry of Education and Sports to give the land to investor Hamis Kiggundu.
In a revelation by Daily Monitor, Museveni wrote to the Minister of Education Jessica Alupo on March 2 in which letter he referred to Nakivubo as being in sorry state to the extent that “FIFA banned it from hosting international matches” according to the president.
Museveni’s letter to Alupo was in reference to his meeting with Hamis Kiggundu a.k.a Ham held on January 12. In the said meeting, Kiggundu handed to the president a proposed redevelopment plan not only for the stadium but also the area around Park Yard Market.
“I am, therefore, directing you to get in touch with Mr Kiggundu and look at his proposal,” Mr. Museveni wrote.
Mr Kiggundu, the President said, had asked for a 49-year lease processed by the Ministry of Education and Sports in liaison with the Uganda Land Commission. However, the President suggested a Public-Private-Partnership whose discussion “must not include a permanent alienation of the stadium from ownership by government”.
“Another thing which interested me was that he was sure of his own finances to re-develop the stadium without burdening government,” the letter reads in part as quoted by Daily Monitor.
“If Mr Kiggundu is to use his personal money, could he be allowed to build premises for rentals on part of the land and then refurbish the stadium at his cost in exchange? These could be some of the considerations,” the President stated.
After receiving the letter, Alupo is reported to have called for a meeting with the Chairperson National Council of Sports (NCS) on March 13 to discuss the matter but whatever was discussed has remained unknown to date.
However, Kiggundu may have to wait longer as the Nakivubo Board of Trustees led by Mr Godfrey Mabirizi insists Museveni was fed on lies by the by the investors.
In fact, they made this known to Alupo in a letter dated March 23 in which they categorically said that Nakivubo has never been banned by FIFA.
“First and foremost, Nakivubo has not been banned by FIFA and therefore not by any other body since it is the international sport governing body,” read part of the letter signed by the Board Chairman, Mabirizi.
“The land upon which Plot 26 and 28 Nakivubo stadium sits belong to M/S Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium Trustees as registered proprietors. Therefore, Uganda Land Commission does not own the said land, a fact that is well known to Mr Kiggundu. He, therefore, not informing the President about this fact is surprising,” the Nakivubo Board submitted.
Furthermore, the stadium trustees indicated that they are following the PPDA and with clearance by the Solicitor General entered a PPP arrangement with three companies to; build a modern 10,000-seater pavilion (Nterenfune Enterprises Limited), an ultra-modern sitting stand at the Villa – Ki Russia side (M/S Future Uganda Limited) and building two other sitting stands (M/S Bestin Limited) and all this was forwarded to KCCA for approval.
“As board, we have already pronounced ourselves on the matter. To the best of our knowledge and the powers conferred upon us by the Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium Trust Act 1953, we request that this information be used while considering Mr Kiggundu’s proposal to avoid unnecessary litigation that might cost government loss in terms of compensation,” Mr Mabirizi advised.
It remains to be seen where this will end but the land surrounding the stadium has already been taken over with a commercial building already built.
“We signed an agreement with Ham Enterprises for phase 1 and we are proud he is doing a good job,” Mabirizi explained then.
“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.
Nevertheless, its eight months since this was promised but the netball pitch as promised is yet to be completed.
What you need to know about Nakivubo Stadium
The Nakivubo War II Memorial Stadium, was first opened in April 1, 1926. It was until early 2000s the official home ground of the Uganda National Football Team, The Cranes before it officially relocated to Namboole.
However, the stadium still hosts CAF sanctioned matches most especially the Under Age sides with the latest being the Uganda Kobs Vs Mozambique All Africa Games Qualifiers.
Nakivubo is also home to Uganda Premier League sides SC Villa and Rwenshama plus Big league side Proline FC.
Another team that uses the stadium as its home is Kampala All Stars FC – a regional league side.
