Ugandan athletes partaking in the different disciplines should expect a better track and field facility once the ongoing renovation at Namboole Stadium is completed.

During Vision Sports visit to the facility under the guidance of the UPDF Engineering Brigade, a lot of changes were witnessed with the running track being revamped.

However, the UPDF Engineers Regiment commander, Seku Kidemuka believes the running track will be completed within a month from now.

The parking space at Namboole

“I am glad that the World Athletics team tasked to certify the running track is checking the standard of the track base and upon completion, we shall get underway with the laying of the tartan,” Kidemuka said.

Sports Lab, a UK-based organisation has been contracted to check the running track and give the green light to place the tartan.

Kidemuka confirmed that the warm-up track outside the pitch will also be on the same standard.

The running track at Namboole Stadium

“World Athletics requires the warm-up track to be on the same level as the actual running pitch which we are looking at doing perfectly well,” said Kidemuka.

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Having successfully held two test games at the facility, Kidemuka highlighted the new developments on the pitch.

“The scoreboard is now finally installed as you can see, the lighting system is being installed with additional lights to produce 24000 watts of light to improve vision at night.”

This will be put to the test in the forthcoming World Cup qualifier games that Uganda will play against Botswana and Algeria.

Inside the dressing rooms at Namboole Stadium

The parking earmarked for the VIPs and VVIPs was also being worked on by the brigade and is presumed to hold 400 cars.

“The parking slots that were clogged with old buses have all been cleared and we are improving the lighting in the area,” Kidemuka said.

He further showed Vision Sports the four dressing rooms that are top notch as well as the barricades used for player safety.