Kakyeka Stadium fails FUFA inspection yet again

Kakyeka Stadium woes do not seem like they are about to end soon because of the poor state of the facility.

The facility located in the heart of Mbarara City is home to Uganda Premier League outfit Mbarara City FC and FUFA Big League side Nyamityobora FC.

But it has hosted fewer league games in the past three seasons than it should because it has always been rejected by the local governing body FUFA because of its dilapidated state.

The situation looks no different ahead of the new league season that is set to commence in November following the inspection of the facility by the FUFA committee for classification of stadia on Tuesday.

The Chris Kalibbala-led team of six officials found out that among other shortfalls, the measurements of the goalposts were not up to the standard.

"We have discovered uneven and wrong measurements of the posts which they will have to work on as a matter of fact," said Frank Anyau, a member of the committee.

The standard measurements of a football goalpost are 2.44m (8ft) by 7.32m (8 yards or 24ft) whereas Kakyeka's is 7.2ft by 24.4ft.

"We have worked on the biggest part by greening the surface and these other requirements are minor and we shall have to work on them too before the season begins," said Mbarara City CEO Robert Ssemusu.

Kakyeka has been barred from hosting league games on several occasions in recent seasons, forcing the home sides to play a bulk of their home league games in Kampala.

But in November last year, Mbarara City FC management worked on the playing surface by planting grass on the bare patches, but only a few games were played on the surface before all football activities in the country were put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As a requirement, the Mbarara City and Nyamityobora officials will have to work on the identified issues before Kakyeka is licensed to host matches when the league resumes next month.