Mandela National Stadium Set For Renovation.

By Galiwango Hassan Last updated Feb 3, 2022 260

Minister-Obua-commissions-the-boundary-wall-at-Mandela-National-Stadium-Namboole.jpg

The first phase of the renovation and upgrade at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole officially started on Wednesday, 2^nd February 2022.

This was embarked by the official commissioning of the 4.1 Kilometer boundary wall around the entire vast facility by the State minister of sports Hon. Dennis Hamson Obua.

At least Shs 3.8 billion is estimated to cost this first phase that is being executed by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Engineering Brigade section.

Hon. Obua was flanked by the chairperson of the Mandela National Stadium board Anne Abeja, Brigadier General Engineer Byesigye Bekunda (Commander of the UPDF Engineering Brigade), Area member of Parliament Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, Jamil Ssewanyana (manager of Mandela National Stadium), Dr. Bernard Patrick Ogwel (General Secretary, National Council of Sports) alongside the UPDF officers and men.

The boundary wall is the opening step of the two phased planned renovation and upgrade of the national treasure to international standards which will take at least four months.

Hon. Obua believes that this perimeter wall will help solve the long standing concern of encroachers around the peripheries of the stadium land.

24 years ago, Government procured this land to construct an international stadium. Today, We have started the upgrade and renovation of the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole with the perimeter wall fencing around the stadium land.

This is the journey to protect and sustain this national asset. Today, we have officially handed over the journey to UPDF whom we believe shall do perfect work. The wall will help solve the long standing issues of encroachment on the stadium land.

Phase two will tackle the inside of the stadium itself and it is incorporated in the supplementary budget as we await for another Shs 67 billion to kickstart the bigger dream.

I thank the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, cabinet, parliament and everybody whose role is significant in this struggle.

Hon. Obua appealed for corporation from the residents around this vast facility as the construction works are on-going.

“I thank the UPDF Engineering Brigade who entered into the contractual obligation. I appeal to the local community for maximum corporation. The UPDF is a pro-people army and they will be willing to corporate. In this generation, we have to deliver because history will judge us.” Hon Obua added.

Stadium board chairperson Anne Abeja hailed the very stakeholders from Government, Parliament to the UPDF who have joined hands to rehabilitate this stadium.

Abeja termed the ground breaking ceremony as symbolic. This is a very symbolic event of ground breaking. In our strategic plan 2021-2025, we have the element of uplifting this stadium to international standards. We have had challenges of encroachment which will be addressed by the perimeter wall fencing.

This is a precursor to the bigger project of upgrading the stadium. Together, we shall achieve the intended objective. I thank the people of Uganda who have been patient with this whole process, the Government, Parliament and the UPDF Engineering Brigade who are undertaking the work.

The Commander UPDF Engineering Brigade Brigadier General Engineer Byesigye Bekunda confirmed that the works resumes smoothly and will be completed earliest in the next four months.

Eng. Byesigye revealed that UPDF will do a professional work as he also confirmed that a fully equipped personnel of 163 Engineers, 482 Civil Engineers, 1465 Artesians and 6000 technical personnel will be employed by this project.

The UPDF Engineering Brigade is ready to execute professional work. The perimeter fencing will be complete by May 2022 with the 4.1 KM wall. We have committed and able staff who will execute the work professionally.

This is a great project to uplift the standards of Mandela National Stadium which is in my constitency. My humble appeal is to ask the contractors (UPDF) to put the resources to the best use intended for them. I will also ask the board to think about the settlers on the land who have no where to go for a peaceful evacuation. I urge the public to corporate in this wonderful project.

The guests planted different trees around the facility, a gesture of nature conservation.

The perimeter wall fencing will cost Shs. 3.8 billion, lasting for four months maximum.

The bigger renovation and upgrade of the inside stadium facilities will cost 97 billion, lasting for at least 9 months.

Namboole has not hosted an international game for the past 4 years.

–KAWOWO SPORTS

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