NAKIVUBO – The Minister of Education and Sports Mrs. Janet Museveni made a maiden visit to Nakivubo War Memorial stadium to check on the progress of the construction works by Roko and business man Hamis Kiggundu alias Ham.
The Stadium has been closed for almost two years now with no sporting activity taking place after local Government handed it to Ham for its modernization.
Mrs. Museveni was quick to mention that she had been told that instead of constructing a stadium, the land was instead being used to set up several shopping malls.
“I was told that the land where the stadium is supposed to be is currently occupied by shopping malls, said Mrs. Museveni.
“This triggered me to come and make a site visit so that I could ascertain the information as a minister in charge of Education and Sports.
“I can now say that i am impressed by the Grand Master plan presented to me by Mr.Hamis Kiggundu the investor and Roko Construction at the same time disappointed by lies I was fed.
“A lot of politics has been going on to frustrate this project but am going to work on it so that the process of the construction can be expedited.
During the visit, Mrs. Museveni was accompanied by State Minister of sports Hon. Charles Bakabulidde.
Speaking during the first lady’s visit, Entrepreneur, Kiggundu noted that he was pleased with Mrs. Museveni’s visit and that construction of the facility will soon start.
“There has been a lot of negative energy, fights and politics aimed at failing the Takeoff, said Kiggundu.
“This has been through compensation wrangles and many others.
“Instead of supporting this developmental massive Sports project a lot energy has been skewed towards its failure yet such a plan is aimed at promoting sports, employment, Leisure & Hospitality, Tourism and talent in Uganda and Africa at Large.
“I am very grateful that you have spared time to check on the progress and after this we are to embark on the facility as soon as possible.
“We promise to deliver a modern all-inclusive facility, the first of its kind in East and Africa at Large.
The State Minister for Sports, Charles Bakabulinde was in full support of Mr. Kiggundu setting up malls first before staring on the construction of the Stadium.
“As an investor setting up shopping malls before the stadium was justifiable since he must have returns on investment but I thank him for showing the love for sports and investing in such a big venture that is long term. Said Bakabulinde.
According to the Main constructors Roko, Nakivubo War Memorial stadium will be a 34,500 seater with most of the indoor games, Athletic Track, Sports Souvenior Shops, Boardrooms, Offices, Conference Halls, an Ultra-Modern Gym, Hotel and parking Space for about 10,000 cars.
Mrs. Museveni’s visit to Nakivubo comes just days after the Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) grilled Hon. Omara Apitta over the 665 Million he was given to set up a state of the art facility in Lira in the memory of the late John Akii-Bua.
