Uganda Signs Contract with Turkish Firm to Build 20,000-Seater Hoima Stadium for 2027 AFCON

Summary:

• Hoima Stadium is one of the venues Uganda plans to use during AFCON 2027, which it will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania.
• The stadium is set to be completed within 18 months, with a deadline of December 2025.
• The Ministry of Works and Transport, supported by the recently inaugurated Africa Cup of Nations Sub-Committee on Infrastructure, will oversee the project.

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KAMPALA: Government of Uganda has signed a contract with M/S SUMMA, a Turkish company, for the construction of a 20,000-seater multi-purpose stadium in Hoima ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Hoima Stadium is one of the venues Uganda plans to use during AFCON 2027, which it will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania. The stadium is set to be completed within 18 months, with a deadline of December 2025. The Ministry of Works and Transport, supported by the recently inaugurated Africa Cup of Nations Sub-Committee on Infrastructure, will oversee the project.

The contract signing ceremony took place at State House Nakasero on Friday, June 7th, 2024, and was hosted by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs. Janet Museveni.

Dr. Bernard Patrick Ogwel, Secretary General of the National Council of Sports (NCS), signed on behalf of the Government of Uganda and the NCS, while Selim Bora represented M/S Summa Construction Company. The Director of Legal Advisory Services, John Bosco Suza, represented the Attorney General during the signing.

Before the contract signing, the Minister of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Judith Nabakooba, handed over a 34.9-acre land title for the Hoima City Stadium to Mrs. Janet Museveni, who then passed it to the Chairman of the NCS, Ambrose Tashobya.

Mrs. Museveni thanked all those involved in the development of sports infrastructure for the 2027 AFCON, including President Yoweri Museveni, the Prime Minister, the Legislature, the Federation of Uganda Football Association, the late Dr. James Rujumba’s family, the business community, and the general public for their support.

“Today marks the culmination of the tireless efforts of various people from both the government and the private sector who have gone beyond the call of duty to ensure that we begin the process of developing sports infrastructure in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027,” said Mrs. Museveni.

She highlighted President Museveni’s recommendation of M/S Summa for the stadium’s construction, citing the company’s successful projects in Rwanda, Senegal, and other countries.

Mrs. Museveni urged M/S Summa to ensure the stadium meets international standards by the December 31, 2025, inspection date set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). She emphasized the need for value for money and timely release of resources to avoid project delays.

Mrs. Museveni also reassured Ugandans of the government’s commitment to developing other stadiums, such as Akii Bua, Buhinga, and Kakyeka, and enhancing other sports facilities like the Lugogo Sports Complex and the National High Altitude Training Centre in Teryet, Kapchorwa.

She called for the development of a management concept for all sports facilities to ensure the government benefits from its investments. She also praised the late Dr. Rujumba’s family for donating 10 acres of land for the stadium, complemented by 10 acres from FUFA and 14 acres funded by the government.

In remarks delivered by the Security Minister, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja hailed the contract signing as a significant step in the NRM Government’s development agenda under President Museveni’s guidance.

She commended President Museveni and Mrs. Museveni for their efforts in realizing this project and thanked M/S Summa for their partnership.

The Sports Minister, Peter Ogwang, lauded M/S Summa for their work on the Kigali Arena and Amahoro Stadium renovation, urging them to deliver high-quality work for the Hoima Stadium by the December 2025 deadline.

He stressed the importance of developing sports tourism to generate revenue, citing Rwanda’s success in earning nearly one billion US dollars annually from sports tourism.

Ogwang also mentioned a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs to construct training facilities, beginning with Kyambogo University grounds.