Hoima dream realised as NCS receives iconic city stadium

The construction of Hoima City Stadium has officially reached a major milestone after Turkish contractors MS SUMMA formally handed over the state-of-the-art multi-sports complex to the National Council of Sports (NCS).

The handover ceremony was conducted in the presence of key government stakeholders of Uganda, with the NCS, the statutory body mandated to manage national sports facilities receiving the venue under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and Sports and the Ministry of Works and Transport, the project’s supervising consultants.

Presiding over the technical handover on behalf of the Permanent Secretary Dr Kedrace Turyagenda was the Commissioner for Physical Education and Sports, Rev. Canon Dr Duncans Mugumya.

During the ceremony, the Commissioner for Public Structures at the Ministry of Works and Transport, Eng. Edward Ssimbwa, representing Permanent Secretary Waiswa Bageya, presented SUMMA with a certificate of completion, officially confirming the end of construction works.

NCS Receives Hoima City Stadium Following Completion of Works

Earlier, SUMMA Project Manager Murat Altun guided representatives from the various ministries, departments and agencies through a comprehensive tour of the facility’s key components. The process culminated with the symbolic handover of instruments to NCS Board Chairperson Ambrose Tashobya, formally transferring the stadium into government custody.

Tashobya was joined by fellow board members Moses Omara Anyii, Hajji Zubair Galiwango, Stephen Kiprotich, Piloya Evelyn Gloria and Cecilia Anyakoit, alongside NCS General Secretary Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel and the council’s top management team.

In their remarks, Dr Mugumya, Chairman Tashobya and Dr Ogwel expressed deep appreciation to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, for their decisive leadership, consistent oversight and full financial backing that ensured the Hoima City Stadium vision was successfully realised.

Dr Ogwel singled out SUMMA for exceptional professionalism, efficiency and quality workmanship, noting that the USD 129 million facility was completed five months ahead of the projected 18-month schedule. He also commended Project Manager Eng. Ivan Gombya and the Ministry of Works engineering team for their diligent supervision throughout the project.

The handover was witnessed by several dignitaries, including Special Presidential Assistant (Education and Sports) Gunter Lange, Assistant Commissioner Sammy Odongo, officials from various MDAs, and Hoima City leaders led by Resident City Commissioner Badru Mugabi and Mayor Brian Kaboyo.

The ultra-modern stadium was then officially commissioned by His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni on Christmas Eve. Facilities at the complex include a 2,000-seater indoor arena, a semi-Olympic swimming pool, a training pitch, a parking area with space for over 1,000 vehicles, outdoor courts, administrative offices and a fully equipped gym.

To mark the opening, Kitara FC and KCCA FC faced off in a ceremonial friendly match on Wednesday, a match the Royals won 1-0, ushering Hoima City Stadium into active use.