Sports Minister Peter Ogwang has suspended visits to the nearly completed Hoima City Stadium, citing concerns from contractors that constant interruptions by politicians and visitors are slowing progress.
The $130 million facility, being constructed by Turkish firm Summa, is now 95 percent complete and on course for official handover in December. However, Minister Ogwang stressed that political tours and unscheduled visits risk derailing final touches needed to meet the tight deadline.
“We cannot afford disruptions at this stage,” Ogwang said during his inspection visit on Wednesday. “The focus must remain on completing the project on time and delivering a world-class facility for Ugandans.”
The Minister was accompanied by a delegation from the National Council of Sports (NCS), including Board Member Jackline Basemera, General Secretary Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel, and Assistant General Secretary Joseph Oluga. Officials from the Ministry of Works and Hoima City also joined the tour.
Once complete, Hoima Stadium will boast a 20,000-seat main arena, a 2,000-capacity mini-arena, and a suite of modern training and competition facilities.
The project is one of Uganda’s flagship investments as the country gears up to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Kenya and Tanzania.
Ogwang noted that the stadium will not only serve as a key venue for AFCON matches but also stand as a lasting legacy for Ugandan sport, offering state-of-the-art infrastructure for athletes and fans long after the continental tournament.
