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 mega arena is being developed by Uganda’s youngest tycoon and city Businessman Hamis Kiggundu (Ham), who believes Nakivubo won’t be just a stadium in the heart of Kampala but rather a legacy to stay and develop the sports industry in the country.
To the doubters, it was also unfathomable that a single individual could sink in billions of shillings to construct a modern sports complex.
However, that is all in the past as construction enters the crucial phase after the completion of the 40,000-capacity seating area.
“We are on track to not only complete the work in the shortest time possible, but also make a statement about our capacity as Ugandans to do the best,” Ham said.
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 our responsibility for everyone.
“Nakivubo stadium construction progressively transforming. May God grant us the strength and wisdom as Ugandans to spearhead development of our motherland Uganda… It’s not an option but rather our obligation. For God and My Country,” Ham Enterprises Ltd said via their handles.
Ham as he is popularly known took over the sports facility for redevelopment in 2017. Initially, the stadium was projected to end in 2019 but the construction of the facility had stalled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, politics, court battles and compensation of vendors.
“The only way to pull Africa out of poverty to prosperity is for us Africans to accept it as our responsibility and obligation. The stadium project equally makes business sense with incomes since it has commercial premises attached and 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,” Ham said.
Indeed, trying to capture every aspect of the new Nakivubo stadium is like a sport in itself. When completed, the stadium will have huge screens, comfortable chairs and floodlights. There will also be access for people with disabilities, among other facilities.
What’s more, it will also have multi-level parking able to accommodate 1,000 cars on top of other wellness centres like restaurants and gyms.
“We are almost done with the hardest bit of the stadium, which is the structure. What is left is to fast-track the completion of the work. I’m going to turn this place into an iconic venue, the best sports and entertainment complex in the region,” said Ham, who is footing all the costs of the $49m (Shs 176.4bn) project.
The sports infrastructural investment worth billions of shillings is undertaken by Roko Construction Company Limited.
The stunning pictures and videos of Nakivubo under construction disprove negative comments which have been flying around sponsored by business rivals how the stadium suffered stillbirth.
The Nakivubo Project manager Aine Agaba said the stadium will be ready very soon.