Uganda’s Mandela National Stadium, also known as Namboole, is undergoing extensive renovations, with the government recently announcing an extension of the completion deadline. Initially, the UPDF Engineering brigade overseeing the project had projected completion by last month, but Education Minister Janet Museveni revealed that the actual deadline was set for August. However, due to the significant scope of the works, the deadline has now been further extended to November 30th, 2023. The extension was granted in response to a request from the project’s main contractor, the UPDF Engineering Brigade.
Minister Museveni expressed her approval of the intervention efforts and eagerly anticipates the visit scheduled for November to witness the fully revitalized stadium. During her recent inspection visit, Minister Museveni evaluated the progress of the renovation works and received a detailed report indicating that the project is progressing in accordance with FIFA standards.
The renovation plan encompasses various crucial upgrades to the stadium. These include the integration of a state-of-the-art ticketing and access control system, the installation of solar lighting to reduce utility costs, and the establishment of an efficient drainage and irrigation system. Additionally, the project involves the construction of a 4.2km perimeter wall and the refurbishment and elevation of the Namboole stadium and hotel to meet international standards.
Minister Museveni commended the UPDF Engineering Brigade for their outstanding work in overhauling the stadium. However, she also stressed the importance of implementing a regular maintenance plan for the stadium and other government structures to ensure their long-term sustainability.
Mandela National Stadium, officially opened in 1997, is a 35,000-capacity venue and serves as the home stadium for Uganda’s national football team, the Cranes. Despite its significance, the stadium has not undergone major renovations for over two decades, raising concerns about its outdated infrastructure. Issues such as an outdated bowl, halogen floodlights that consume excessive power, unavailable electrical installations, and inadequate sanitary facilities have been identified.
Furthermore, the lack of a CCTV system and real-time access controls for monitoring stadium users has become a cause for concern. These deficiencies led to the stadium being deemed unfit to host international matches, resulting in a ban by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA. As a consequence, Uganda has been forced to host African Nations Cup and World Cup qualifying games in other countries.
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