The planned redevelopment of the Lugogo sports complex might take longer than expected with the Uganda Sports Union (USU) still claiming ownership of the property. 

USU claims ownership of the land on which the works are planned, in dispute with the National Council of Sports (NCS) currently the administrator of the land. 

On Wednesday, January 10, the land minister Judith Nabakooba met both NCS led by general secretary Bernard Ogwel and administrative secretary Shadia Nakamanya and USU lawyers.  

Also present at the meeting were select federations and associations that were part of the union, to sort out the ownership issue. 

However, the meeting that was held at the ministry headquarters on Parliament Avenue in Kampala was inconclusive, with the minister only promising to meet the parties again. 

Late last year, New Vision Sport was privileged to have a glimpse at the architectural plan for the complex which is going to replace the current structures on the land. 

USU claims they have owned the land since 1957 when it was handed to them for development, however, member associations that made up the union ceased to be and now are under NCS. 

Uganda Amateur Boxing Association, Uganda Cricket Association, Uganda Lawn Tennis Association, Uganda Hockey Association, and Uganda Football Association are not part of the union anymore. 

Some have ceased from being associations and are now federations like FUFA and FUBA, while others have no certificates of incorporation with USU. 

An official from one of the federations present in the meeting intimated to New Vision Sport that they want NCS to continue with the mandate of administering the land in Lugogo. 

“We believe NCS has the mandate of doing the redevelopment and administration of the complex since we have only heard from the union once and they are coming up this time round for reasons best known to themselves,” remarked the official who preferred anonymity.

The renovation is estimated to cost sh790b and Turkish contractor Suma has got political blessings from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to begin the work. 

The complex will on completion house two arenas, (a 15000 and 3000-seater), a swimming pool, hostels (for 120 and 60 people), a hockey pitch, and NCS offices. 

The renovation was welcomed by the sports fraternity with state sports minister Peter Ogwang championing the campaign after seeing the potential Uganda has, but lacks in modern sports facilities. 

“Ugandan athletes have the potential of clinching more accolades internationally if we also prioritise the development of facilities like the Lugogo sports complex,” Ogwang noted mid-last year. In one of the national sports forums.