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Museveni has been deeply involved in overseeing the transformation of the national stadium at Namboole, and provided an exclusive progress update through her social media account.
Uganda’s First Lady who also serves as the Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni has set a November deadline for the completion of renovation works at the Mandela National Stadium.
The stadium's extensive renovation project being handled by the UPDF Engineering brigade had been earmarked for completion on August 1, however, it was extended to November 30, following a request by the engineers.
Museveni has been deeply involved in overseeing the transformation of the national stadium at Namboole, and provided an exclusive progress update through her social media account.
“During my recent visit to the Mandela National Stadium, I had the opportunity to evaluate the progression of the renovation works firsthand,” Ms. Museveni said in a statement.
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“The detailed status report I received illustrated that the updates are advancing in line with FIFA's standards.”
“The renovation plan is extensive and incorporates numerous critical upgrades to the stadium. These include the integration of a state-of-the-art ticketing and access control system.”
“[Others are] installation of solar lighting to mitigate utility costs, and establishment of an efficient drainage and irrigation system,” the statement added.
The renovation project goes beyond the stadium itself, as the adjacent Namboole stadium hotel is also being refurbished and elevated to meet international standards.
Acknowledging the importance of delivering a top-notch facility, the First Lady approved the revised deadline, ensuring that the necessary efforts and resources are dedicated to achieving the desired outcome.
“In light of these significant undertakings, I have approved an extension for these intervention efforts, shifting the initial completion date from August 1, 2023, to November 30, 2023,” she explained.
“As we eagerly anticipate our next visit in November, we look forward to witnessing the fully revitalized stadium.”
The update about Namboole’s renovation comes after the state minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, was forced to apologies in March after the Uganda Cranes played an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Egypt.
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Ogwang promised that the Cranes’ next qualifier against Algeria in July would be played at home, after the UPDF engineering brigade said it would have the stadium ready by June this year.
The Mandela National Stadium, was included in the joint East African bid (Pamoja) between neighbours Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania to host the 2027 AFCON.
Other facilities included in the bid are; Kenya’s iconic, 60,000-seater Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), 30,000-seater Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi and Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret.
Meanwhile, Tanzania has inked the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium alongside other venues in Dodoma, Arusha and Zanzibar.
CAF is set to start inspection of the facilities submitted in the bids to evaluate the state of football stadia, among other facilities.
On August 15, the Executive Committee of CAF will reveal the successful applicants together with the hosts for the 2025 AFCON.
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