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Sports state minister Peter Ogwang has been directed to brief Parliament on the progress of rehabilitation works at Mandela National Stadium.

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among issued the directive during Thursday's plenary.

“Let him give us a statement, status of Namboole and then also give us accountability of the sh97 billion that was released for that work because if they are saying they want more money, let them first tell us what the other money has done."

This followed a procedural matter that was raised by Opposition chief whip John Baptist Nambeshe (Manjiya county) bordering on the recent pre-inspection report on the sports facility.

Whereas works are still ongoing in the interior and exterior of the stadium, Nambeshe revealed that the stadium has been excluded from hosting upcoming World Cup qualifiers, which might compel the national soccer side yet again to host its matches abroad.

He had a copy of a report authored by Muhammad F. Sidat, the head of professional football of Africa's football governing body (CAF).

“So to speak, it has not been approved for the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) World Cup United 2026. That is African qualifiers match day three and four as you are aware,” said Nambeshe.

“I would love to have the minister report to us what has gone amiss, moreover we have an opportunity if these works could be expedited, we have a second chance because we don’t have another venue to host these FIFA World Cup United 2026 games."

Uganda is this year expected to host Botswana on June 3 and Algeria a week later in the World Cup qualifiers.

'Lack of seriousness'

Reacting to the development, Kumi municipality MP Silas Aogon warned that they will not tolerate excuses from concerned authorities this time around.

“Otherwise for us to miss this, actually the minister or the person responsible will have to vacate their position. Because we cannot as Ugandans lose this opportunity. You assured us, told us things were going to be okay, we are now here and we are in charge. We are asking what is wrong,” he said.

Erute South MP Jonathan Odur weighed in.

"I think there are four deadlines and we were promised that by March 26, the stadium would be ready. This lack of seriousness from the Government and taking the House for granted, and Ugandans, I think is what the honourable minister has to addresss."

Relatedly, Odur informed the House that failure to complete Namboole Stadium within the scheduled time might also affect Uganda’s prospects of hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament (this year).

“You first host the African Nations Championships and if you satisfy, they now confirm you to host AFCON and by December next year, we should have that stadium ready," said Odur.

"Would the minister also address us also in light of the bid we have put to host both the CHAN and AFCON because Namboole was the only stadium which was earmarked?

Speaker Among described the development as financially challenging given the fact that some teams are uncomfortable playing at Uganda Cranes' proposed home turf away in Morocco.

“All Ugandans have been excited about the Africa Cup of Nations, but at the same time, there is no way we can go and play in another country," she said.

"Remember we are supposed to play Algeria but then Morocco has offered us to go and play in Morocco for free but Algeria has said, 'we are not going to Morocco' because of their issues. So what is the way forward?”

Government chief whip and Ajuri county MP Denis Hamson Obua passed the baton on to minister Ogwang, who by press time was locked in a high-level meeting.

“I also want to inform Parliament that as we sit, there is an ongoing meeting that had been scheduled before we scheduled Parliament to sit this morning and the meeting is chaired by the Minister of State for Sports Peter Ogwang and in attendance we have (defence minister) Oboth Oboth, who is representing the UPDF, who are currently the contractor on the ground."

That said, Obua extended an invitation to fellow lawmakers to pay a visit Namboole and witness progress achieved thus far.