Hon. Moses Magogo, representing Budiope East, emphasized the importance of consulting the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) regarding stadium construction matters. His remarks were prompted by reports of Nakivuubo Stadium’s rejection by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Magogo, who also serves as the President of FUFA, highlighted the executive committee’s authority within CAF to override certain provisions.
“We have engaged with CAF because they inspect a stadium based on its current status. During their inspection, it became evident that the stadium was not ready to host a match due to unfinished construction work,” stated Magogo, addressing concerns about Nakivuubo Stadium’s readiness.
In response to Magogo’s comments, Sports Minister Peter Ogwang emphasized the collective desire to ensure that matches are played on home soil. Ogwang urged unity in addressing the issues highlighted by CAF, stressing the importance of resolving them promptly.
Minister Ogwang clarified the scope of the renovation project at Namboole Stadium, emphasizing that it goes beyond mere cosmetic enhancements. His statement was in response to Hon. Joseph Ssewungu’s query regarding the nature of the renovation agreement between the Ministry of Defence and the stadium.
Hon. Jonathan Odur, representing Erute South, raised concerns about the timeline for stadium inspections set by CAF regulations. He noted that Uganda’s home matches, scheduled for June 3rd and 10th, 2024, may not align with the inspection timeline. Odur also questioned the contingency plans for hosting matches in case of venue unavailability.
Amidst the stadium construction debate, Speaker Anitah Among urged Members of Parliament to prioritize funding for sports facilities, particularly in anticipation of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
In other parliamentary proceedings, tributes were paid to several notable figures who recently passed away, including former NEMA Executive Director Dr. Tom Okurut, former minister Dr. Martin Aliker, former Umukuka of Bamasaaba Wilson Wamimbi, and former Makerere University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Justine Opio Epelu.
