Nakivubo controversy: MP steps in

By James Bakama

Parliament has taken interest in the Nakivubo stadium controversy. This is after stakeholders took the matter to the parliamentary select committee investigating cases of land grabbing in Kampala.

There are disagreements over the redevelopment of Uganda’s oldest sports facility.

Kampala Boxing Club became the first stakeholder to take the matter to parliament yesterday. KBC’s executive was, after a brief introduction, told to prepare the necessary documentation and return to the committee next Tuesday.

The club, whose gym is one of the stadium’s facilities, brought the matter to the committee’s attention through Lwemiyaga MP Theodore Sekikuubo.

“This matter directly affects schools because after these institutions having their competitions countrywide they have Nakivubo as the apex stadium,” explained Sekikuubo.

“Your issue has merit. It will be looked into next week. So, go and prepare the necessary documentation,” committee chairman Robert Migadde (Buvuma Islands) told KBC.

“In order to move fast, come on Tuesday with all the relevant documents.

“I would also advise you to put other stakeholders from other sports disciplines on board,” advised Migadde.

Chairman Ahmed Mbidde led the KBC team that also had Maureen Mulangira (treasurer), Ronald Mutebi (disciplinary officer) and Emmanuel Mwesigwa (gym controller).

While the sports fraternity has contested Nakivubo’s redevelopment saying it does not address the core purpose for which the facility is meant, there is also a clash over who should revamp the stadium.

President Yoweri Museveni recently directed the Education and Sports ministry to look into a proposal by one of the developers Hamis Kiggundu.

Kiggundu who has developed part of the facility, presented to the president a redevelopment plan for the entire stadium. He wants a 49 year lease.

This, however came at a time when three other developers being approved for the remaining part.

The sports fraternity is up in arms insisting the developers are not taking sports into consideration.

They cite Kiggundu who had promised to replace the previous netball court with ultra-modern one.

The chairperson of KBC Ahmed Mbidde(L), officials Maureen Mulangira, Emma Mwesigwa and Ronald Mutebi. Photo by Maria Wamala

“That has never happened,” noted football coach Tom Lwanga also wondering why other facilities for boxing, basketball and other indoor games that were reflected in the plans are yet to be put in place.

There are fears that even what remains of the sports facility like the football pitch and boxing gym will soon be replaced by shopping malls.

Amidst all this, is article 8(e) of the Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium Trust Act of 1953, which does not permit leasing, mortgage or sell of the stadium’s scheduled property.

This property which is in freehold register covers 11.62 acres in volume 3, folio 24 of the freehold register.

Nakivubo also has property in the leasehold register. This land covers .836 acres and is contained in volume 247 , folio 3 of the leasehold register.

The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga recently named a six-member select committee to investigate cases of land grabbing in Kampala. The committee is supposed to present its findings to the House in two months.

The committee has Migadde, Kasiano Wadri(Terego), Olivia Kabale (Women, Iganga), Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa), Patrick Mulindwa (Kasambya) and Mathias Mpuuga (Masaka Municipality).

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Musevenisummons managers

By Sabiiti Muwanga

Following recent press reports about his involvement in the Nakivubo stadium saga, President Yoweri Museveni has summoned the sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi, the board of Nakivubo and Hamis Kiggundu for a meeting at State House Nakasero this morning.

It was reported on Monday that the president had given leeway for businessman Kiggundu to develop the stadium. It was reported that Museveni had written to the sports ministry asking them to hand over the facility to Kiggundu.

Acknowledging the fact that the President had indeed written the letter, Nakivubo board chief Godfrey Mabiriizi noted that it was after falsehoods fed to the president about the state of the World War II Memorial stadium.

Mabiriizi said that Kiggundu had lied when he told the President that the stadium had been blacklisted by FIFA.

“That is a lie. We have been hosting international matches,” citing the recent engagement between Uganda’s U-23 side, The Kobs and their Mozambican counterparts in an Olympic qualifier.

Pointing to the Nakivubo War Memorial Act of 1953, the facility cannot be mortgaged or sold.

And because today is Fools Day, the meeting is not likely to exceed 12 noon as the press will be eager to learn the outcome.

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