The torrential rains that Kampala receives over six months was taken into account before the developer Ham Kiggundu opted for an artificial turf currently being installed at the refurbished Nakivubo Stadium.

According to the General Manager of the stadium in charge of the installation, Fahad Ssemugenze, the rampant rain was measured over six months before they were advised against the natural grass, as they would be spending eight times more in maintenance costs with the imported grass.

“We have a lot of rain and given the history of flooding in this area, we didn’t want to take any chances,” Ssemugenze explained.

“The stadium is in a low-lying area and a collection point for much of the runaway water, that is why even with the artificial turf there is a lot we did with the drainage system. There are perforated pipes underneath that will ensure the stadium drains quickly,” he noted.

Recent photos from Nakivubo showed pictures of the artificial being installed, with the latest one showing a complete green turf on the demarcations of the playing area. But that was just the beginning of a long process that will take about a month to complete.

Before the turf was placed a dual text of about 20-30mm which has a high water penetration level and quickly absorbs rainwater was placed.

After the spreading of the turf, the engineers proceeded with applying silica sand that helps in firmly holding the turf. 36-40kgs are applied per square meter after which it is brushed to ensure it sinks. Rubber granules that are also lab-tested will then be applied on top.

“The ball has to move seamlessly so the rubber is also tested. We are going to apply about 120 tons of that (about 15kgs per square meter) of rubber. The process is long but we are almost halfway through the process,” Ssemugenze stated.

He said each process is not rushed and has a duration of settlement. The Silica sand will take 24 days while the rubber is also given 16 days to settle.

By October the turf would have been fully installed with even the goal posts erected, the dugouts for the players and coaches would also be done by then including all the markings of the pitch.

The two Turkish installers that are working on the pitch are paid Euro 26 (sh100,000/-) per hour each, for the 8 hours that they are on the job every day.

“We have not left any stone unturned because we want to produce a quality product. I can assure the Ugandans that the turf was manufactured by a FIFA-accredited company and the turf had to undergo laboratory tests, before it was tested in all weather conditions to ensure the ball moves seamlessly during a match.

“We have all the certifications at every level of preparing this turf. He said the company from whom they bought the turf and from those applying it thereafter will revisit what they have done and certify the pitch.

The turf was procured after consultation with the FIFA turf certification team who also gave us a condition that we must use their certified installers,”

He said the over sh1.5b turf was procured from a Germany-based company though it was produced in Turkey by Nurteks, a FIFA-accredited company, that has the expertise of making the recommended artificial turf for professional footballers.

“We brought in a team of Turkish engineers that are laying the turf making sure they are applying the whole methodology. From the foundation to the drainage to the application of the concrete and gravel to the stone base up to this level they have been supervising the job daily to ensure if we are to be signed off, everything has to be installed properly.

“We have the best turf in East Africa and probably in Africa because we are using 60mm turf, and the quality is FIFA-laboratory tested. It was procured in 2019 and only tested in 2021 which clearly shows the steps that we had to go through up to this point. The health and safety of players who are going to use it was taken into account just like the bounce of the ball.

About 30mm of the turf will remain on top after the application of the silica sand and rubber. But that is also brushed regularly to maintain the pitch to mitigate against degradation according to Ssemugenze.