Prime
Uganda needs another arena like Namboole
Mandela National Stadium commonly known as Namboole Stadium. Photo by Ismael Kezaala
What you need to know:
- The issue: Need for a new arena.
- Our view: With a new stadium in place, Namboole’s turf would be given sufficient rest to recover from the exertions of too many functions.
- As it is, the playing surface at the stadium is horrible.
Ultimately it is a fact that the population is growing and sooner rather than later, a new venue will be a necessity and not a liability.
Since its opening in 1997, Namboole stadium has been the country’s only sports arena that can be compared with similar multi-purpose complexes elsewhere.
Built by the Chinese, Mandela National Stadium has hosted Uganda Cranes international matches since 2002 and has also been used for a number of international engagements by the country’s clubs in Caf competitions.
It has also been used for athletics, once for rugby, and has staged a number of corporate events.
Every now and then, music shows have been staged there as well as conferences for some of the leading national political parties in the country.
Because of its vastness and the sufficient parking space at the venue, it has hosted national and international prayer convergences year-in year-out and continues to do so.
In every sense, it’s construction was timely and welcome by the Chinese government.
Without it you can’t help but wonder how all the aforementioned events would be staged today.
However, Uganda today would do with another arena of Namboole’s size.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be a multi-purpose structure to the Namboole level; all the country needs is another arena to accommodate the demands of tomorrow.
Given that the government has released Vision 2040 that embraces strategic planning for the requirements of the near future, it is only right to embark on plans to construct a new stadium in tne country. That stadium should ideally be a minimum of 100kms away from Namboole just to make sure that the edifice can help grow a far flung area. Greater Kampala is suffocating under the weight of virtually all facilities and institutions being centralised in or around the capital and as such, having another big stadium within would be inadequate planning.
With another ground in place, it would help country stage a bid to host the Africa Cup of Nations in the future. Caf’s bidding process requires a country to have a minimum of two international stadiums.
At the very least, Uganda would have what it takes to plot a joint bid with Rwanda or Kenya for the right to host the continent’s most prestigious soccer competition.
And with a new stadium in place, Namboole’s turf would be given sufficient rest to recover from the exertions of too many functions. As it is, the playing surface at the stadium is horrible. Ultimately it is a fact that the population is growing and sooner rather than later, a new venue will be a necessity and not a liability.
The issue: Need for a new arena.
Our view: With a new stadium in place, Namboole’s turf would be given sufficient rest to recover from the exertions of too many functions.
As it is, the playing surface at the stadium is horrible.
Ultimately it is a fact that the population is growing and sooner rather than later, a new venue will be a necessity and not a liability.
