To own a plot of land measuring close to 2.5 hectares in the heart of any capital city world over, one requires quite a fortune.
Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) did not need to present the huge cheques and balances on their enviable accounts to acquire the Cathedral ground (Kadiba) in Rubaga Division, Kampala city.
Rather, it necessitated the full divine blessings for the football body to acquire the plot from Namirembe Cathedral under the protestant church.
Wednesday, 13th January 2016 will forever remain engraved in the historical archives of the Mengo based football institution.
On the day, FUFA officially unveiled a long term partnership with Namirembe Cathedral to own the swampy football ground for development within a lease epoch of more than 30 years.
The Dean of Namirembe Cathedral, The Very Rev. Canon Benon Kityo labored to elucidate long rich history how the Church is associated with football growth Uganda tracing the origins to as far back as 1887.
We are happy to partner with FUFA in football development. The church pioneered football growth in Uganda in Uganda when Archbishop Walker introduced the game in 1887. We shall continue to associate with football development FUFA has for a long time been for a look out for land onto which they would own and develop.
The Ugandan F.A boss, Moses Magogo (Engineer) held different closed door talks with the Cathedral and evidently his convincing tongue ‘could’ have lured the clergy.
He told the media during the launch;
We plan develop the playing ground under the proposed FIFA Goal V project. FIFA grants about $ 600,000 per project which can be got in one bulk or in phases. Our national team has no permanent home. We are tired of hiring facilities, where at times we get embarrassed. I want to thank Namirembe Diocese for giving FUFA this land for development. Our national team and the community shall optimally utilize this developed facility.
The Federation plans to submit a proposal to the global footballing body, FIFA by March 2016 for approval.
If all goes according to plan, FUFA intends to develop the 2.5 hectares into a modern playing facility with a grand master plan under the FIFA Challenger project.
Local Community to benefit:
Magogo quickly assured the local community in Rubaga;
Football is for the community. Personally, I played on this ground and it will remain a community asset used according to plan.
Even by the time of the launch cum unvieling ceremony, renown footballers of present and past generations in the mold of Yasin Mugabi, Steven Bengo and Hakim Magumba were playing besides the facility.
With the assured full backing of the local community, the project is as good as started.
Only the test of time stands in-between.
