By Andrew Irumba
Kampala: President Yoweri Museveni has commended city young business tycoon Haji.Hamis Kiggundu aka Ham for investing billions to re-develop the now State-the-art Nakivubo stadium that has become the talk of town especially after Uganda won the bid to co-host African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 with Kenya and Tanzania.
In 2015 Ham, who is the CEO, Ham Group of Companies approached President Museveni seeking his blessings to redevelop Nakivubo Stadium which was in a sorry state at the time and years later, the old ‘war memorial stadium’ was eventually erased giving way to the redevelopment that has thus given birth to a multi-billion facility that has changed Kampala’s skyline.
“I’m happy that the president who gave me the political blessing before the redevelopment is the one that is going to commission the project; I’m humbled and honored. I thank the president for believing in me and giving me his full political blessing at the start of this project. Despite many people having doubted that I couldn’t do it, I have done it and others should follow suit and do the same because this stands as a legacy and an illustration that together we can develop our country; For God and my Country,” Kiggundu said after President Museveni agreed to commission the facility.
The AFCON 2027 Challenge
Reacting to the news of Uganda Co-hosting AFCON 2027, earlier this year, President Museveni acknowledged that much as Uganda still needs more stadiums to be developed to world-class standards the likes of Nakivubo Stadium and Namboole will boost the country’s revenue as well promoting sports talent among youths.
”Apart from Namboole and Nakivubo, we need more world-class stadiums to be built. It does not matter whether they are government or private, as long as they are in Uganda” President Museveni said during the State of the Nation Address in June this year, adding that the government is also looking forward to deliberately focusing on sports by building more stadiums and training facilities.
Read Also President Museveni Meets City Tycoon Hamis Kiggundu Over AFCON Plans, To Commission Nakivubo Stadium This Month – TheSpy (spyuganda.com)
CAF Clears Tycoon Hamis Kiggundu’s Multibillion Nakivubo Stadium To Host AFCON 2027 Games – TheSpy (spyuganda.com)
Nakivubo Stadium Works Hit Final Stages As Tycoon Ham Confirms Completion Of Installation Of Goals & Turf – TheSpy (spyuganda.com)
Construction Of Nakivubo Stadium: Installation Of Turf In Progress – TheSpy (spyuganda.com)
Bishop Joshua Maponga Hails Tycoon Hamis Kiggundu For Developing Africa Through Multibillion Investments – TheSpy (spyuganda.com)
In the heart of Kampala, where the rhythms of life echoes through crowded streets and spirited conversations, there arose a matter of great national importance, AFCON stadium issue.
Uganda’s love for football is immeasurable, and the prospect of hosting the prestigious tournament filled the air with anticipation and excitement. However, the existing stadiums fell short of the required standards, posing a significant challenge to Uganda’s dreams.
Addressing this concern, President Museveni took to the national stage, emphasizing the transformative potential of private-public partnerships in resolving the AFCON stadium dilemma. The President acknowledged the need for collaboration and innovation to meet the tournament’s stringent requirements and Ham has fought tooth and nail to see Nakibubo stadium up to the required standards.
Among the many contributors to the AFCON cause, Kiggundu a successful entrepreneur with a deep passion for sports and community development had already taken up the challenge with unwavering determination and the AFCON bid was a blessing in disguise to push his work even further.
Kiggundu who had single handedly spearheaded the re-development of Nakivubo stadium to now meet the stringent AFCON standards, his commitment to excellence and understanding of the socio-economic impact of the tournament fueled his dedication to finish the multibillion project that was already outstanding.
Nakivubo stadium has already taken shape, rising like modern marvels against the backdrop of Kampala’s skyline.
With Nakivubo stadium re-development, Kiggundu’s vision extends beyond the mere construction of sporting arenas, he aims to create venues that will become hubs of community engagement, fostering a sense of unity and pride among the people, transcending beyond political boundaries and personal interests.
The impact of Kiggundu’s efforts has been felt not only in the gleaming structures that now adorn Kampala city but also in the renewed sense of national pride and unity.
Nakivubo stadium has already played a pivotal role in the AFCON 2027 East African Pamoja bid and with its modern amenities like executive VVIP boxes, restaurants, cafeterias, artificial turf among others are set to change the sports sector In Uganda.
Completed Nakivubo Stadium
Built to modern standards, the 40,000-seater ‘War Memorial Stadium will be a reminder of the old good days for football lovers.
“We have followed modern stadium trends from all over the world in whatever we have included in the construction of this facility because we didn’t want visiting teams to have excuses with anything regarding the facility. So, from the turf to the dressing rooms to the stands and everything else is up to international standards,” Ham revealed recently.
Nakivubo will be a multipurpose stadium making it Kampala’s most famous and iconic ground with unique amenities like lifts for the physically handicapped, cinema halls, an area for indoor games like Table Tennis and Pool, VIP boxes which can be booked by a group of people on top of ordinary sitting, VVIP and executive boxes on the first tier.
The executive boxes seat about 20 people each with extra amenities like self-contained lavatories, sofa sets, a conference room, and a resting area. Each category of fans will have its own entry and exit points.
Additionally, the stadium has a multi-level parking able to accommodate over 1,000 cars on top of other amenities like restaurants, gyms, and facilities for people with disabilities (PWDs).
Behind the goalposts on one end will be a netball court while on the other a basketball court. There will be no running track as had earlier been planned following architectural changes.
The home and visiting teams will have a medical section room each, on top of dressing rooms that can seat up to 30 people each. There are also enough showers that can be used by all players of both sides on top of two referees’ rooms and lockers, and change rooms for all stadium support staff including ball boys who also have their rooms and amenities just like the kit’s men. There is also an allowance for a gym and a boxing ring under the stands.
Parking for service vehicles like ambulances and those of the VIPs are catered for including residential rooms for 80 people for teams that might want to stay for residential training.
The stadium will also have a big screen and floodlights as well as security cameras installed around the stadium.
