Nakivubo Stadium under threat
Jun 14, 2011
WILL Uganda’s oldest stadium survive the wave of development that is fast transforming Kampala’s skyline? That’s the question on most peoples’ minds as high rise buildings and other developments continue sprouting within the vicinity of Nakivubo War Memorial stadium.
By JAMES BAKAMA
WILL Uganda’s oldest stadium survive the wave of development that is fast transforming Kampala’s skyline?
That’s the question on most peoples’ minds as high rise buildings and other developments continue sprouting within the vicinity of Nakivubo War Memorial stadium.
The latest in this long list of new structures is the two storey Jesco Beauty Center. The building that is just a few meters from the stadium wall, has a very good view of the stadium’s interior.
No wonder several people on Saturday chose to follow the Bell Uganda Cup final from its first and second floors.
KK Trust Hotel on Namirembe road and another building still under construction behind Nakivubo’s Makerere wing stands are the other structures that render gate collections useless.
“A lot of money is being lost in gate collections as people opt for the various free viewing spots outside the stadium,†concedes stadium spokesperson Fred Kateregga.
Issues about how much longer Nakivubo has to serve as a sports facility have also been raised. With the rampant land grabbing in the city, there are fears that such a prime area could soon be snapped up by unscrupulous developers.
In 2009, the sports fraternity was up in arms when a portion of the stadium behind the famous Kirussia wing was rented out to bus operators.
That another portion of the facility had already been rented out to Kalita Bus Company, further infuriated sports enthusiasts.
Kateregga however dispels all fears. He explained that all non sports projects on the stadium’s 13 acre land are temporary as the facility will soon be re-developed.
He says Government’s plan is to have a multi-discipline sports facility complete with adequate parking and other facilities like access roads. This will be under the public-private partnership.
“All we are waiting for are private developers to link up with government to start off the project,†revealed Kateregga adding that the improved facility would leave no room for unpaid viewing of sports.
The stadium, Uganda’s second largest, with a sitting capacity of 18,000 people, was constructed by the colonial administration in 1921 as a native recreation ground.
A law, the Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium Trust Act, was passed in 1953 to provide for the running of the stadium. It provided for a trust to manage the facility. The sports minister appoints the trustees.
The biggest stadium in Uganda, Nelson Mandela National Stadium, Namboole seats 40,202 people. The only other stadium within the city is under Wankulukuku, the property of Buganda Kingdom.
WILL Uganda’s oldest stadium survive the wave of development that is fast transforming Kampala’s skyline?
That’s the question on most peoples’ minds as high rise buildings and other developments continue sprouting within the vicinity of Nakivubo War Memorial stadium.
The latest in this long list of new structures is the two storey Jesco Beauty Center. The building that is just a few meters from the stadium wall, has a very good view of the stadium’s interior.
No wonder several people on Saturday chose to follow the Bell Uganda Cup final from its first and second floors.
KK Trust Hotel on Namirembe road and another building still under construction behind Nakivubo’s Makerere wing stands are the other structures that render gate collections useless.
“A lot of money is being lost in gate collections as people opt for the various free viewing spots outside the stadium,†concedes stadium spokesperson Fred Kateregga.
Issues about how much longer Nakivubo has to serve as a sports facility have also been raised. With the rampant land grabbing in the city, there are fears that such a prime area could soon be snapped up by unscrupulous developers.
In 2009, the sports fraternity was up in arms when a portion of the stadium behind the famous Kirussia wing was rented out to bus operators.
That another portion of the facility had already been rented out to Kalita Bus Company, further infuriated sports enthusiasts.
Kateregga however dispels all fears. He explained that all non sports projects on the stadium’s 13 acre land are temporary as the facility will soon be re-developed.
He says Government’s plan is to have a multi-discipline sports facility complete with adequate parking and other facilities like access roads. This will be under the public-private partnership.
“All we are waiting for are private developers to link up with government to start off the project,†revealed Kateregga adding that the improved facility would leave no room for unpaid viewing of sports.
The stadium, Uganda’s second largest, with a sitting capacity of 18,000 people, was constructed by the colonial administration in 1921 as a native recreation ground.
A law, the Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium Trust Act, was passed in 1953 to provide for the running of the stadium. It provided for a trust to manage the facility. The sports minister appoints the trustees.
The biggest stadium in Uganda, Nelson Mandela National Stadium, Namboole seats 40,202 people. The only other stadium within the city is under Wankulukuku, the property of Buganda Kingdom.