New Vipers stadium creates jobs, business for locals

CAF CONFEDERATION CUP

First leg: Vipers 1 Platinum Stars 0

Could St Mary's Kitende stadium be the long awaited spark that will turn around the economic fortunes of Kitende?

You got the feeling that something huge was happening when the stadium hosted its first match on Saturday. There was brisk business as lots of sports merchandise and beverages were sold.

Bars in the area made a kill as excited fans gulped bottles of beers. Hotel business also boomed. Then there was also the boost in transport to this once remote Wakiso district village.

High performing St Mary's Kitende Secondary School was previously the only stand out enterprise in the area. That all turned with the new stadium.

There were suddenly taxis making their inaugural trip from Kampala's taxi park to the stadium. Bodaboda riders also had good business for the two kilometre distance from the Entebbe highway to the stadium.

Then there is also the huge army of engineers and builders who have over the past nine months raised this multi-billion shilling structure.

Ssekandi praises Mulindwa

Vice President Edward Ssekandi is amongst those impressed by the new stadium. Sekandi and Buganda's Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga praised Vipers president Lawrence Mulindwa for a good job.

"Uganda and sports are privileged to have a great investment like this stadium. We thank Mulindwa and encourage many other investors to also inject money in sports," said Ssekandi.

Ssekandi was speaking at a press conference after the match.

"We need to thank Mulindwa because he has done something for the development of football in Uganda. This is the direction our community should take because such projects don't benefit individuals but entire communities," said the Katikkiro.

Students' magic

The atmosphere was further boosted by presence of close to 3000 students.

The St. Mary's SS Kitende students passionately cheered throughout the match. Smartly clad in Vipers red or blue jerseys, the students' presence proved a brilliant innovation.

They were in the northern wing of the stadium located close to the school. Fans praise Vipers Equally impressed were the fans.

SC Villa supporter Tom Kalule praised Mulindwa for the stadium. "How I wish my club also came up with such a venture."

Siraje Matovu, a Vipers fan, was happy that his club had won their first match in the new stadium.

(Additional reporting by Hussein Bukenya)