Kampala: Parliament has summoned the state minister for sports, Peter Ogwang, to explain the delay in the in the completion of Namboole Stadium, yet all the needed 97 billion shillings needed to renovate the stadium were approved by parliament and released by finance.
The directive has been issued by the speaker of parliament, Anita Annet Among, after the opposition chief whip, John Baptist Nambeshe, informed parliament that CAF refused to approve Namboole Stadium to be used in the next two FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying matches, whereby Uganda was supposed to host Botswana and Algeria on June 3rd and 10th, respectively.
According to Nambeshe, CAF, after inspecting the stadium, released the inspection report, highlighting that the stadium works at Namboole are not complying with the requirements of FIFA, so it was not approved to host the coming two FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, and so Uganda has to look for other countries with approved stadiums where it will host its matches.
Kumi Municipality MP Aogon Silas agreed with the opposition chief whip and asked the minister of sports, Peter Ogwang, to come up and inform the country of what has deterred them from completing the stadium in time.
Erute South MP Jonathan Odur stressed that it is absurd that the minister in charge of sports has been convincing members of parliament and Ugandans that the next home matches will be played at Namboole Stadium but has not been approved by CAF and FIFA, and yet a lot of money has been given to his ministry to renovate the stadium.
The government chief whip, Hamson Obua, informed parliament that the Minister of Sports is handling the matter very well and that on Thursday morning he held a meeting with the Minister of Defense, Jacob Oboth Oboth, on the same issue.
He said that after Minister Ogwnag would address the parliament on the progress of Namboole Stadium, adding that the UPDF construction brigade is doing great work at Namboole Stadium and that they are soon completing the work.
This has prompted the speaker of parliament, Anita Among, to direct the state minister for sports, Peter Ogwang, to come to parliament today (Friday) and elaborate on Namboole and account for the 97 billion shillings that was released for the renovation of Namboole Stadium.
Do you have an advertisement or article you want to publish? Mail us at theugreports@gmail.com or WhatsApp +256757022363.
