President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commended the rapid progress on the construction works of Hoima City Stadium, reaffirming the government’s commitment to sports infrastructure development.
The President emphasized that despite Uganda’s rich sporting history, investment in sports facilities had long been hindered by economic challenges.
“Apart from Namboole and Nakivubo, the country had not done much in terms of stadium development, but assured Ugandans that the tide was turning,” he noted.
With Uganda co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), President Museveni reiterated the urgent need to strengthen infrastructure, not only for sports but also for tourism and hospitality.
The government has pledged support in stimulating the private sector, particularly in hotel expansion in Hoima City, to accommodate the influx of visitors expected during the tournament.
Additionally, President Museveni announced plans to upgrade Akii-Bua Stadium and transform Gulu Airport into an international facility, further boosting regional connectivity.
The President applauded SUMMA for its efficiency, stating that the progress achieved in a short time was a testament to the contractor’s capability.
Vice President H.E Jessica Alupo highlighted the role of sports in enhancing Uganda’s international reputation, stressing that investments in modern stadiums would provide local athletes with better training facilities and increase the country’s competitiveness on the global stage.
Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja affirmed Uganda’s readiness to co-host AFCON 2027, describing the Hoima Stadium project as a game-changer for the region.
The stadium is expected to become a hub for youth development programs, helping to nurture talent and create employment.
Maama Janet expressed gratitude to President Museveni for inspecting the construction works of Hoima City Stadium, one of the facilities that will host the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in 2027.
“I am happy indeed to see the tremendous progress made by SUMMA within this period of seven months since construction started in September 2024,” she said.
Maama Janet also acknowledged the support of Hon. Peter Ogwang and his team, as well as the local leadership, in monitoring the project’s progress and providing feedback.
The government has established an Inter-Ministerial forum to coordinate responses to various issues related to hosting successful CHAN-2024 and AFCON-2027 tournaments.
Maama Janet thanked the late Dr. James Rujumba for donating ten acres of land and the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) for the additional ten acres given for the establishment of the stadium complex.
SUMMA has been praised for providing employment opportunities to many Ugandans, with 80% of the nearly 900 people working on the site being locals.
Murat Altun, the project manager for SUMMA, assured stakeholders that the company is committed to delivering a world-class stadium within the agreed timeframe.
The Hoima City Mayor, Mr. Brian Kaboyo, thanked the President and the First Lady for prioritizing infrastructure development in the Bunyoro sub-region.
With the project progressing steadily, the government remains optimistic that Hoima City Stadium will be completed as scheduled, setting a new benchmark for sports infrastructure in Uganda.
