Minister Peter Ogwang tasked to account for Namboole stadium renovation

Speaker Anita Among has tasked Peter Ogwang, Minister of State for Sports to provide an accountability of the Shs97Bn spent on renovations of Mandela National Stadium in Namboole, after the latest inspection report by Confederation of African Football (CAF) indicated that the current works being done by UPDF Engineering brigade are below the required standard.
“Let the Minister give us a status of the progress of Namboole and let him also give us accountability of the Shs97Bn. This is a very serious issue, all Ugandans have been excited about AFCON, but at the same time that there is no way we can go and play in another country, remember we are supposed to play with Algeria, but then, Morocco has offered us to go and play in Morocco for free, but Algeria has said, we aren’t going to Morocco, because of their issues, so, what is the way forward?”Among said.
The Speaker’s directive followed a concern raised by John Baptist Nambeshe , Opposition Chief Whip who expressed disappointment towards the failure by Minister Ogwangto honour his numerous pledges about the Namboole stadium construction works.
“The inspection report has found the stadium works are not compliant with the requirements and it hasn’t been approved. The Minister had made an undertaking that by the time of inspection, the works will be ready, he has let us down and I would like the Minister to report to us what has gone amiss. Moreover these works, if we have an opportunity, if they can be expedited we can have a second chance because we don’t have another venue to host this FIFA World Cup United 2026 qualifiers,” Nambeshe said.
Silas Aogon (Kumi Municipality) called for the resignation of all people behind the shoddy works at Mandela National Stadium and a detailed explanation on what went wrong during the renovation works.
“I think it is proper that when the Minister is speaking, they give us a proper statement about the gaps, is it the money which was the problem? What was the issue so that we get to know early enough, otherwise, for us to miss this actually the Minister or the person responsible will have to vacate their position because this time as Uganda, we can’t lose that opportunity. You assured us, told us that things are going to be okay and we are now here, we are asking, what is wrong?” noted Aogon.
Jonathan Odur (Erute South) warned that the failure by the Government to address issues raised in CAF’s inspection report on the quality of works at Namboole would threaten Uganda’s chances at hosting other tournaments like CHAN and AFCON, in which the country submitted its bids.
“The Minister promised so far there are five deadlines. This lack of seriousness and taking the House for granted and Ugandans is what the Minister has to address today. That when you come here and make promises and reassure the country the country and the country is excited. That Namboole is the pre-condition for us to host CHAN, and if you are satisfied, then you can host AFCON and by December 2025, we should have that Stadium ready. Would the Minister address us in light of the bid we have put to host AFCON and CHAN because Namboole was the only stadium that was earmarked to host CHAN,” Odur said.