Overlooking Bugembe church of Uganda and the Jinja – Iganga Highway is the famous Bugembe Stadium, situated right in the heart of Bugembe town, 5 miles off the suburbs of Jinja City.
Kawowo Sports’ David Isabirye recently paid a courtesy visit to the facility, constructed in the early 1950’s that has bred many Eastern Uganda football talents and unearths the pitfalls that the Stadium is currently undergoing.
The stadium, sitting on over 5 hectares of land was a donation from the British Colonial Government to the Busoga kingdom as a token of appreciation.
This prominent sports recreational facility within the Kingdom is the second most visible feature on Bugembe hill – the other being Bugembe church that is envisaged in the vicinity.
Over the years, Bugembe Stadium has hosted close to a thousand sports activities including some group games of the 1996 CECAFA senior challenge cup.
It has been home to several football teams like Nytil, Tobbacco, Nile, Kakira, Umeme and lately Bugembe United now; Sadolin Paints Football club.
At its present state, Bugembe Stadium could easily be mistaken as a ground for a herd of well starved elephants and buffaloes.
Neglect:
Maintenance and rehabilitation of Bugembe Stadium has been a total myth – ‘throwing the facility to the dogs’.
Just like for many other sports facilities that have been neglected, Bugembe Stadium too has fallen prey to greedy self centered individuals.
The once much cherished stadium perimeter wall fencing is no more; with sections that have fallen out.
Other wall parts are soon following suit as evidenced from the numerous cracks decimated here and there.
“The Busoga Kingdom is responsible for the process of maintaining Bugembe Stadium”, Saidi Kakuuka, the stadium manager reveals to Kawowo Sports.
From the damaged stadium wall to extinct sections, the perimeter fence meant to safe guard the players, team and match officials from rowdy fans is too weakened with sections already fallen to the ground.
“The state of Bugembe at the moment is not safe for players and officials. There is no enough security to keep away from emotional football fans” attests Kira Young coach, Paul Nkata, who recently visited the facility with his team against Sadolin Paints F.C.
Rusty & Dilapidated Pavilion and Stands:
The rusty metallic seats at Bugembe Stadium
The two open stands at Bugembe Stadium currently sit on rusty metals.
The wooden seats have since become rotten and read in bold ‘R.I.P’.
The mighty Bugembe Stadium Pavilion that also houses the dressing rooms with missing rooves.
The Pavilion roofing leaks every time it rains. The moist environs with a poorly ventilated system that creates an undesirable stench emitted from the dressing rooms.
Poor Sanitation:
Bar the weak stadium wall and perimeter fences, the state of sanitation at the ground is alarmingly worrying.
The littered gabbage and wastes could easily be mistaken for flowers intentionally planted to decorate the facility.
There are only two Ventilated Pit Latrines, whose last date of cleaning could possibly be read as far back as the year 2000.
Human excreta are irresponsibly littered besides, inside and just out of these latrines.
In fact, do not be surprised when Ministry of Health announces an outbreak of diarrhea, dysentery and other poor hygiene related ailments.
Alarming Playing Turf:
Key of every beautiful football stadium world over lies upon the suitability of its playing turf.
The Bugembe Stadium playing area offers no added advantage to home or away teams.
The ground, with eminent effects of gallery erosion during down pours is unleveled giving the ball that unexpected bounce.
Dry bare patches decimate the predominately green turf of the playing arena.
Poorly Drained:
“The ground is unplayable during match days especially when it rains. Some parts flood giving the ball movement a very hard time” Sadolin Paints’ assistant coach, Kenneth Magada attests.
The present state of Bugembe Stadium requires urgent address to restore the stadium to its desirable state of old and even better.
