Namboole Stadium Renovation Under Scrutiny, CAF Inspectors Label it ‘Substandard' Quality

The ongoing renovation works at Namboole Stadium have been flagged for substandard quality by inspectors from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following their visit, this was disclosed in Parliament that the inspection report conveyed dissatisfaction with the progress and quality of renovations at Namboole Stadium, which is slated to host CAF-sanctioned games.

The government's investment of over UGX 97 billion towards the stadium's refurbishment has come under scrutiny as Speaker Anita Among directed Peter Ogwang, Minister of State for Sports, to provide a detailed account of the expenditure.

John Nambeshe, the Opposition Chief Whip, raised concerns over unfulfilled pledges related to the stadium's construction works, prompting the Speaker's directive.

The inspection report highlighted significant deficiencies, indicating that the works do not meet the required standards for approval by CAF. Questions have been raised about the competence of the UPDF Engineering Brigade overseeing the renovations.

Silas Aogon, representing Kumi Municipality, called for accountability and suggested that those responsible for the substandard works should resign to uphold standards. He emphasized the importance of rectifying construction gaps to avoid missing opportunities, such as hosting FIFA World Cup United 2026 qualifiers.

Jonathan Odur of Erute South warned that Uganda's failure to address the issues raised by CAF's inspection could jeopardize the country's chances of hosting tournaments like CHAN and AFCON, for which Uganda has submitted bids.

The concerns raised by CAF inspectors echo previous warnings from FUFA President, Hon. Moses Magogo, who criticized the quality of works performed by the UPDF engineering brigade. Magogo urged the government to engage a competent and experienced contractor for successful completion of Namboole Stadium's renovation.

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