UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | The construction of the Nakivubo Stadium has been a project marred by setbacks, delays, and skepticism. But for businessman and property mogul Hamis Kiggundu, it’s a project that he has been committed to seeing through to completion, and he is almost there.
On Tuesday, March 28, Kiggundu took to Twitter to share photos of the stadium’s completed exterior façade, marking a major milestone in the redevelopment project.
The 35,000-seater stadium, which is being constructed by Roko Construction Company Ltd with Kiggundu’s financial backing, was supposed to be completed by 2020. However, the project has faced numerous challenges, including Covid-19 disruptions, supply chain issues, and the escalating costs of building materials.
Despite these challenges, Kiggundu remains optimistic about the project’s progress. He has faced criticism and skepticism from naysayers, including Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who has accused Kiggundu of duping Ugandans over the project.
But for Kiggundu, the accusations are unfounded. He believes that many of those accusing him of duping Ugandans have little or no knowledge about the project. He points out that the project will benefit Ugandans in numerous ways, including job creation, increased revenue, and the revitalisation of a vital public space.
“The problem is that many of our people have so much negativity. People are so negative that even if you are doing something benefitting them, negativity will take charge of their brain. Many of them don’t reason. Some do it out of ignorance, whereas other do it out of hate. One thing I do differently from others is reason,” Kiggundu says.
Kiggundu’s commitment to the project is a testament to his determination and belief in the transformative power of development. He understands that projects of this magnitude are not easy, and that setbacks and delays are often par for the course. But he remains committed to seeing the project through to completion, no matter what obstacles arise.
And while the completion of the stadium’s exterior façade and seating area is certainly cause for celebration, there is still much work to be done. Therefore, Kiggundu has directed Roko Construction to expedite the project now that the bulk of the work has been completed.
“The hardest bit of work is done and what is left is to complete the different utilities going to be hosted at the stadium,” he says.
To deliver on the legacy commitments, the new Nakivubo Stadium will feature a gym, medical facility, restaurants, and other amenities.
Kiggundu expects works to be completed by the end of the year. If successful, the redevelopment of Nakivubo stadium would come in handy for Uganda’s bid to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals with neighbouring Tanzania. Currently, the Nelson Mandela stadium, Namboole, the other major stadium in the country, is also undergoing refurbishment to meet the required standards to host tournaments of Afcon’s magnitude.
Kiggundu implors Ugandans to embrace a mentality of belief in such mega projects, saying, “The Nakivubo redevelopment project is not just a sports project; this is a legacy. If I can, you too can do more to make Uganda a successful country with reason. Oftentimes, multimillion-dollar projects are given to foreigners but with the progress of the redevelopment, I want to create a mindset shift that we can also do it.”
The Nakivubo Stadium will provide a world-class sports complex that can host major events and attract visitors from all over the world. Moreover, the project serves as an inspiration to Ugandans to believe in their ability to achieve great things and create a better future for themselves and their country.
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