East African Gazette
Kampala
The Government of Uganda has signed a contract with SUMMA, a Turkish Company, for the construction of a 20,000-seater Hoima multi-purpose stadium ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Hoima Stadium is among those that Uganda plans to host matches during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which it will co-host with
Kenya and Tanzania. The stadium will be constructed within 18 months and is required to be ready by December 2025.
The Ministry of Works and Transport, supported by the recently inaugurated Africa Cup of Nations Sub-Committee on Infrastructure, will supervise this project.
The contract signing ceremony was hosted by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs. Janet Museveni, at State House
Nakasero on June 7, 2024.
Dr. Bernard Patrick Ogwel signed on behalf of the Government of Uganda and the National Council of Sports in his capacity as the Secretary
General of NCS, while Selim Bora signed on behalf of M/S Summa Construction Company. The process was guided by John Bosco Suza, the
Director of Legal Advisory Services, who represented the Attorney General.
Other present were Security Minister, Major General Jim Muhwezi; State Minister for Finance and Planning, Amos Lugoloobi ,State Minister
for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara; Hoima City East Division MP, Dr. Isingoma Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba, handed over a land title of 34.9 acres for the Hoima City Stadium in the name of the National Council of Sports to the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni.
“Today marks the culmination of the tireless efforts of various people from both the government and the private sector who have gone beyond the call of duty to ensure that we begin the process of developing sports infrastructure in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027,”Museveni said.
She said that, following the wise counsel of President Museveni, the company was secured to undertake construction works for the stadium in Hoima City within 18 months. The contractor has changed the face of sports infrastructure in Rwanda, Senegal, and other countries.
Museveni to the contractor to ensure the stadium of international standards is ready for inspection by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) by 31st December 2025.
“Do not let Ugandans down because hosting the Africa Cup of Nations is a golden opportunity whose benefits go beyond football to a country,”
she said.
She emphasized the need to ensure value for money in this project because we are all accountable to the taxpayers of Uganda.
She also appealed to the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to ensure that resources are released on time to avoid disruptions during project implementation due to the very tight deadline.
She said Government’s commitment to developing other stadiums like Akii Bua, Buhinga, and Kakyeka.
She stated s in addition Lugogo Sports Complex and the second and third phases of the National High Altitude Training Centre in Teryet,
Kapchorwa district are ongoing.
She called on Ugandans to emulate the example set by the late Rujumba’s family to sacrifice and put the service of our country above one’s own interests.
“The late Rujumba’s family donated 10 acres of land where the stadium will be constructed. FUFA donated an additional 10 acres, and the
remaining 14 acres were secured with funding from the Government of Uganda” she explained.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja described the signing of the contract for the construction of the Hoima Stadium as a landmark event, that
advances the NRM Government’s transformative development agenda as guided by President Museveni.
She commended President Museveni and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs. Janet Museveni, for their unwavering efforts towards the realization of this high-impact project, which will increase the stock of strategic sports infrastructure in Uganda.
She also appreciated Summa company for partnering with the government in the construction of the Hoima Stadium.
The Sports Minister, Peter Ogwang, revealed the contractor has done an excellent job in the construction of the Kigali Arena and the renovation of theater-of-the-art Amahoro Stadium. Ogwang asked the constructor not to abuse the trust given to them but to deliver an excellent job on the people’s project by 31st December 2025.
He said Uganda has holistic plans to tap into sports tourism to generate revenue for the country citing Rwanda which generates about $
1 billion every year from sports tourism.
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