By Happy Godwin
In preparation for the joint 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) bid where Uganda will co-host with neighbours Kenya and Tanzania, one of the new stadium ear-marked in Hoima city will soon have the construction started.
As a bold step towards the official commissioning of the construction works, the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has handed over the land title details to the Government.
The total acreage of the land where the Hoima city stadium is 34.9 acres; where the family of the late Dr James Christopher Rujumba donated 10 acres, before FUFA later procured 10 arces and another 14.9 acres when Uganda won the AFCON 2027 bid.
On Thursday, FUFA’s delegation led by the president Eng. Moses Magogo officially handed the land documentations to the state minister for sports Hon. Peter Ogwang at the ministry of education and sports boardroom.
Magogo was flanked by the Hoima city mayor H.E Brian Kaboyo and other FUFA officials Rogers Byamukama, Ronnie Kalema and Decolas Kizza Hantali.
On the Government side, the minister Ogwang was joined by the commissioner physical education and sports Rev Canon Dr. Duncans Mugumya, General Secretary for National Council of Sports Dr. Bernard Patrick Ogwel as well as the representative from the office of the Attorney General.
Eng. Magogo lauded the different parties that have been supportive to have the documentations in order.
“I thank the family of the late Rujumba for donating the initial land of 10 acres from which we later expanded. The different stakeholders from the president General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, office of the Speaker of Parliament, Attorney General, guidance from ministry of education and sports, national council of sports, leadership of Hoima city and other local leaders. This is a giant leap to have the stadium construction started” Eng. Magogo appreciated.
The state minister for sports Hon. Ogwang confirmed that the land is now a Government property and its commissioning will commence shortly before the construction takes effect.
“For the time being, I can now afford to sleep. The key process has been fulfilled been grueling” the minister sighed.
“I thank the office of the Attorney General and the different people who have had roles behind the curtains. The land is now government property and I can confirm that the commissioning will now take place before the construction commences. We shall continue to tick the boxes as we move along” Hon. Ogwang added.
In the coming weeks, the Hoima city stadium will be commissioned before the construction will commence by Turkish company Summa Limited.
Government has already released Ug.Shs 152 billion (30%), as part of the money meant to help in the stadium construction.
The Hoima City stadium is one of the facilities that Uganda will use alongside Mandela National Stadium for the 2027 AFCON finals.
