)
Kayemba offered examples from Uganda's past where land designated for specific purposes underwent radical transformations.
The deal for the redevelopment of the Lugogo Sports Complex struck between President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Turkish investors, Summa Construction Company, have raised serious doubts among Opposition Members of Parliament.
These concerns stem from past instances where land granted to investors for redevelopment was ultimately seized after the investors failed to meet their obligations.
)
Leading the charge in expressing these apprehensions is Solomon Kayemba ‘Ssolo’, representing Bukomansimbi South and also serving as the Shadow Minister for Sports.
In a press briefing at Parliament, Kayemba acknowledged the need for redeveloping the Lugogo Cricket Oval.
However, he stressed the importance of transparency regarding the agreement between the government and the Turkish Investor.
"We have seen incidences where land is given to investors to develop it and we end up losing that land,” Kayemba told a press conference.
“So, we are worried about the same thing with [the] cricket oval; we want to know the full details of that agreement."
“We agree that it needs to be built since it was built years back, when you look at our country, we don’t have any sports facility that can host any international indoor game that is why you see in terms of basketball, Uganda hosts its games in Rwanda.”
)
“So, in as much as we agree for its development, we have seen incidences where land is given to investors to develop it and we end up losing that land," he added.
Kayemba offered examples from Uganda's past where land designated for specific purposes underwent radical transformations.
Notable cases include the Shimon Demonstration School land, initially designated for a hotel during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2007, which was later handed over for the Kingdom Mall project.
Likewise, the land belonging to Uganda Television (now Uganda Broadcasting Corporation) in Kololo was initially allocated for the Pearl of Africa Hotel by Aya Group but has now resurfaced on the market.
The fate of Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium also lingers in limbo, with some facilities converted into commercial arcades.
Kayemba emphasized the concerns shared by many, demanding comprehensive disclosure of the agreement between the government and the Turkish investor.
He emphasized, "What is the Government giving there and what is the investor getting? What is the investor giving us? We want to know the full details of that agreement."
MP Hillary Kiyaga echoed these sentiments, highlighting that while the opposition advocates for sports sector improvements, the government should not relinquish control over lands intended for such purposes.
He cited the example of his district, Mpigi, which lacked a sports ground, and raised concerns about the privatization of public assets.
)
Kiyaga questioned, "We are looking at where is Government’s responsibility in this regard? We don’t know whether privatization is going to develop this industry as we want."
Joyce Bagala requested an update on the development of Aki-Bua Stadium in Lira, included in Uganda's bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
“In 2023, the redevelopment of Aki-Bua Stadium in Lira was one of the issues raised in Uganda’s bid to host AFCON in 2027,” she said.
“We would like to know what the regime is doing and [we need] an update on the redevelopment of that stadium,” she added.
Ssolo also voiced doubts about the government's ability to complete renovation works at Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) by November 30th, a commitment previously made by the Ministry of Education and Sports.
He observed waterlogged conditions around the stadium and suggested that the project might extend into March 2024.
The Opposition is pressing for the Minister of Sports to appear before Parliament and provide a comprehensive account of the agreement between the government and the Turkish investor. Should the Minister fail to do so, they insist that Parliament establish a special committee to conduct a thorough investigation.
This redevelopment project aims to transform the Lugogo Cricket Oval into a modern sports complex.
The key facilities will include a 15,000-seater multipurpose indoor arena, a smaller 3,000-seater arena, a swimming pool, athletes' hostel, hotel, gym, office tower, and other amenities.
)
According to the Daily Monitor, the contractors have asked for 14 months for them to set up and finish the 15,000-seater arena.
Summa completed the BK Arena in Kigali in six months, and are well in time to finish the Amahoro Stadium in under the scheduled 18 months.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)