Nakivubo Stadium saga takes new twist as chairman resigns

The never ending battles surrounding the redevelopment of Nakivubo Stadium took another twist after the Chairman Board of Trustees, Godfrey Mabirizi resigned last month.

It is hardly a year since Mabirizi, as head of the new board was installed by State Sports Minister Charles Bakkabulindi, with Charles Egou as his vice.

Although his resignation was due to ‘personal reasons' the circumstances surrounding his resignation point to other factors like internal and external interference as well as intimidation and integrity issues.

The battle on who should carry out and complete the next phase of redevelopment around the stadium is one of the factors that popped up soon before tendering in his resignation letter, dated January 16.

Godfrey Mabirizi resigned amid controversy. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

His resignation immediately followed a letter Nakimuli and Company Advocates acting on behalf of; Futureland Uganda Limited, Bestin Limited and Ntelenfune Enterprises, dated January 12 and addressed to him, raised fears of cancellation of their contracts; "it lawfully entered into with our said clients without giving them the right to be heard," the letter reads in part.

"We would like to caution the board that any such termination of the said contracts without due process will open the board and its members in their personal capacity to lawsuits for compensation and recovery of damages, both general and punitive,"

In his resignation letter, Mabirizi contends that in his tenure the board has overseen partnering with the private sector for the development and delivery of major infrastructure redevelopment projects that are aimed to ensure that Nakivubo continues to attract big and best sports and entertainment events.

MPs and KCCA officials inspect Nakivubo Stadium last year to find out how much land was left for sports after Ham had constructed shops near the Park Yard market. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

He mentions construction of a perimeter wall with over 1000 shops by Ham Enterprises and physical planning for upgrading the stadium to a 25000 seater stadium as some of the projects the board undertook.

But in his letter, he advises the new board chairperson and all board members; "to have the integrity, team work, respect, trust and services expected of a Board of Trustees,"

"I also wish to caution the entire BOT to desist from entertaining internal and external intimidation, selfish interests and intrigue that might compromise the smooth running of the stadium affairs," Mabirizi cautions.