Museveni okays UPDF, NHCC to construct Kakyeka stadium perimeter wall

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has okayed the Uganda Peoples Defence Force and the National Housing and Construction (NHCC) to construct a one Kilometer Perimeter wall around Kakyeka Stadium.

Museveni who was officiating at the 42nd Tarehe Sita Celebrations in Kakyeka Stadium in Mbarara City today said that the government has not done any developments in constructing stadiums because it first concentrated on other development issues.

He appreciated Hon. Sylvester Wanjuzi Wasieba, the Chairperson Board of Directors of NHCC for coming up with the idea of constructing a perimeter at Kakyeka Stadium.

This was after the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi said they had reached a partnership agreement with NHCC to construct the perimeter wall noting that the cooperation will be charged with surveying, designing and providing materials to construct the perimeter wall.

Sylvester Wanjuzi Wasieba, said the perimeter wall be built in commemoration of the 42nd Tarehe Sita celebrations. He said the stadium land has faced encroachment because it lacked a perimeter wall to protect it thus for a perimeter wall to safe guard the remaining land.

Eng. Keneth Keijuka, the Chief Executive Officer of NHCC said the construction works are expected to start in July this year and be completed by December 2024.

Mujuni Asiimire, a resident of Kamukuzi said it is shame to the government that a stadium that carries a name of a former Ankole king is in a dilapidated state and none has cared to renovate it despite them collecting revenues from it.

Mathias Atukunda, the Manager Mbarara City FC appreciates the development, noting that the security of the players was not guaranteed within an open space, however, suggests that if the whole stadium is given an overhaul than only a perimeter wall.

The commitment comes when the development plan that was designed in 2017 by Mbarara District to renovate the current dilapidated stadium was shelved due to a lack of funds.

Last year, the Mbarara District council resolved to tender out Kakyeka stadium to a private investor to boost its local revenue.

Constructed in 1984 the Kakyeka stadium is home to Mbarara City Football Club located in Mbarara City North Division, Kamukuzi ward and has a capacity of 10,000 people.