Uganda’s First Lady Praises Hamis Kiggundu’s Stadium Redevelopment

The Ankole Times
At Nakivubo Stadium on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, businessman Hamis Kiggundu lightened the mood with a joke in the presence of the First Lady and Minister of Education, Janet Kataha Museveni, as well as the Sports Minister, Honorable Peter Ogwang.

Uganda’s First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon Janet Kataaha Museveni, has hailed businessman Hamis Kiggundu for the redevelopment of Nakivubo Stadium to meet modern standards.

Mr. Museveni paid a courtesy visit to the stadium premises in Nakivubo on Tuesday, February 20, where he was left impressed by the world-class facilities. The stadium is one of the selected venues for Uganda in hosting the AFCON 2027.




“The NRM government is very proud to see the example of our young people beginning to build Uganda by putting up projects such as this one. We congratulate Ham Kiggundu for this excellent job,” Mrs. Museveni said as she appreciated first-hand how the rebuilt facility looks like, especially inside.




During the tour, Hon. Janet was taken around the over $200 million investment by the young developer tycoon Ham Kiggundu, who has delivered a new, excellent world-class sporting facility at the Nakivubo War Memorial Grounds.




The renovation project, spearheaded by the businessman, has made significant progress in transforming the stadium into a state-of-the-art sports facility, with the official reopening slated for early 2024.

The First Lady’s visit comes shortly after the youthful billionaire received commendation from President Museveni for his work on the Nakivubo Hamz Stadium in preparation to co-host the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.

Uganda is set to host the continental tournament for the first time in the country’s history, in a joint effort along with Kenya and Tanzania.




Features of the New Nakivubo Stadium

The new Nakivubo stadium, estimated to be worth shs54 billion, features a football pitch, two suspended floors, a two-level pavilion, netball grounds, and a roof. The 35,000-seater facility is expected to house various sports activities like athletics, netball, boxing, volleyball, and bodybuilding.

The stadium, designed to meet international standards, boasts a fully installed artificial turf, goalposts, corner flags, VIP sections, and indoor facilities fitted with seats. The overall completion of the stadium is eagerly anticipated.




Hamis Kiggundu Janet Museveni Nakivubo Tour
Businessman Hamis Kiggundu, accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education, Honorable Janet Kataha Museveni, visited Nakivubo Stadium on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.

Overcoming Challenges: Kiggundu’s Determination

Hamis Kiggundu, a young tycoon and selfless businessman, has previously faced criticism and setbacks with the Nakivubo Stadium project. He mentioned intense criticism from the public, accusing him of prioritizing the development of nearby shopping malls over the stadium.

Additionally, structural reviews and legal disputes further delayed progress, with the project stalling for almost a year. The COVID-19 pandemic added to these challenges, limiting workers’ access to the site and causing a six-month suspension of activities.

However, the ambitious business mogul has vowed not to be distracted, affirming that the multi-billion project will continue as planned. With the renovations nearing completion, Kiggundu remarks on the progress of the project, addressing the skepticism he faced earlier.

Ham
Hamis Kiggundu (3rd from the left) accompanies First Lady Janet Kataha Museveni on a walk at Nakivubo Stadium while inspecting the turf on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.

The completion of the new stadium provides Uganda with the opportunity to host the 2027 AFCON alongside Kenya and Tanzania, which will promote the three countries and positively impact economies, especially the tourism sector.







AFCON is one of the most prestigious football tournaments on the continent, attracting teams from across Africa and a global audience.

The revitalized stadium and the privilege to host the games have inspired a renewed sense of pride among Ugandans, aligning with Ham’s initial aspirations.

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