Govt releases sh1.7bn for high altitude training centre

By Norman Katende

GOVERNMENT has released sh1.7bn to finalise all the works in preparation for the actual start of construction of the National High Altitude Centre.

The first artists’ impressions of the centre, which will have a 3-tartan track lane for running, were received by the sports department.

Commissioner for sports Omara Apita confirmed that the money was part of the sh5bn received by the sports departments and it will cater for all the activities that take place before the real construction starts.

“It will cater for the water, power, roads, and payment for the drawing and environment assessment plan. All in all, the money will do everything to make a level ground for the actual construction to start next year,” said Apita.

Apita said that it was part of the same money that they used to compensate squatters who were staying on the land that was owned by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

The money was part of the sh5bn that was allocated to the ministry for the financial year with sh3.3bn going to recurrent expenditure which will go towards the National Council of Sports and Physical education department while the rest will go towards development projects.

National Council of Sports is set to get sh2bn which will go towards salaries and development activities with the over 45 federations and associations sharing sh400m this year.

“It is not divided equally. Council has a criteria but I think it is about performance, talent development and that is the reason we got the funds,” said Apita.

The money that goes to the department is for education institutions sports subvention and also supporting physical education development programmes.

“We are now undergoing the process of training PE teachers in schools and also making policies,” said Apita.