Days are numbered for football fans in Uganda to jubilate as the construction of multibillion and multi-purpose Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium, commonly referred to as Nakivubo Stadium, is swiftly progressing with the focus of being the leading stadium on the African continent.
The stadium that had a capacity of 30,000 people, after the 2013 renovations prior to the ongoing renovations, is expected to have a capacity of 35,000 people upon completion and as we report, the construction management says that from a realistic and reasonable point of view this is not just a stadium but a legacy and clear illustration to all Ugandans that if Uganda is to develop it’s a responsibility for everyone.
“Fast progress at Nakivubo stadium. From a realistic and reasonable point of view this is not just a stadium but a legacy and clear illustration to all Ugandans that if Uganda is to develop it’s our responsibility as Ugandans to develop our motherland and yes we can. For God and my country. Alhamdulillah” management posted.
The construction of this historical stadium started in 2017, a move that was geared by Director Ham Enterprises tycoon Hamis Kiggundu, aiming to have a standard playground surface (pitch), increased seating capacity, modernise the sitting arrangement, add on retail shops, office for renting among other facilities.
The stadium is located in the Central Business District of Kampala City Surrounded by Ham Shopping Grounds also a property owned by tycoon Hamis Kiggundu positioned within a walking distance from the New Taxi Park.
It sits on two adjacent parcels of land measuring 11.62 acres (47,000 m2) and 0.835 acres (3,380 m2), totaling 12.455 acres (50,400 m2) under geographical coordinates of: 0°18’42.0″N, 32°34’25.0″E (Latitude:0.311667; Longitude:32.573611).
According to Wikipedia, the stadium that was initially established in 1926, was improved and modernized in 1954 by the British colonial government to commemorate the lives of Ugandans killed during the Second World War following the passing of the “Nakivubo War Memorial Act” by the Parliament of Uganda.
In early 2013, the stadium was closed by the Uganda Revenue Authority for a period of about one month, over “accumulated debts.” It was re-opened after payment arrangements had been agreed upon.
The stadium was also shut down in May 2011 but reopened a week later after payment plans were negotiated and hosted the third round, the second league of the CAF U-17 Championship, a game between Uganda and Zambia, on 27 September 2014.
