The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The government has resolved to transform the historic Lugogo Cricket Oval into a state-of-the-art Multipurpose Sports Complex. On Tuesday night, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni welcomed a proposal from Summa, a Turkish construction company, to construct a modern multipurpose indoor sports complex at Lugogo in Kampala to further develop sports in Uganda.
The announcement followed a high-level meeting involving President Museveni, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang, Commissioner of Physical Education and Sports, Rev. Duncan Mugumya, and representatives from Summa Construction Company among others.
The proposed multipurpose sports complex is expected to have a main indoor arena with a capacity of 15,000 spectators, an eight-lane swimming pool, a multi-purpose standard pitch, a 60-person athlete hostel, accommodation with 120 rooms, a showroom, a shopping center, and a top-tier fitness gym, among other amenities.
Dr. Benard Patrick Ogwel, the General Secretary of the National Council of Sports (NCS), explained that the current MTN Arena, which is used to host indoor games will be renovated. “The existing one will be upgraded from the current 750 seats to 3000, it will be refurbished. What we need now is moving forward, the facility in Lugogo was built in 1957 which you all know is now condemned,” Ogwel said.
“What will be affected will be cricket because it is specialized, and therefore we are going to relocate Cricket Kyambogo. Kyambogo will be strictly for cricket and it will be properly managed and we shall develop the facility as a government. We have already had a very good discussion with Kyambogo and we are soon signing an MOU with Kyambogo,” he added.
H.E. @KagutaMuseveni and I recently convened with representatives from Summa, a leading Turkish construction firm, to deliberate on the establishment of a cutting-edge multipurpose indoor sports arena designed to accommodate up to 15,000 spectators.
Summa is recognized for its… pic.twitter.com/0TQBiYeCbW
— Janet K Museveni (@JanetMuseveni) September 21, 2023
Rev. Can. Duncan Mugumya, the Commissioner of Physical Education and Sports, agrees that making way for a multipurpose facility is a positive step for accommodating a wide range of sports disciplines. “First, we are taking Cricket to Kyambogo, then the Old Arena will be upgraded, and even the new one will be built with more facilities. The designs will be unveiled to the public when we are ready,” Rev. Duncan told URN.
Denis Musaali, the Uganda Cricket Association’s Communications Director, noted that while they haven’t received official communication from the NCS, relocating to Kyambogo is acceptable as it ensures cricket continues to have a venue in Kampala.
Once completed, this state-of-the-art facility will greatly enhance Uganda’s sports infrastructure, addressing a longstanding need for better venues. Currently, Uganda relies primarily on the MTN Indoor Arena, which is in a deteriorating condition, for international tournaments.
This development follows earlier efforts to construct an indoor arena by Makerere University, but completion is still pending. The lack of a suitable venue has also cost Uganda opportunities to host major events like the 2023 Africa Netball Championship, despite successfully securing the bid.
****
URN
