President Yoweri Museveni is set to officially open the new Hoima City Stadium today, Wednesday, following the handover of the facility to government on Monday by the contractor, Ms Suuma, to the National Council of Sports (NCS).
The 20,000-seater stadium, constructed at a cost of USD 129 million, is one of the flagship facilities earmarked for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Uganda will co-host alongside Kenya and Tanzania.
Ahead of the grand opening, Ms Suuma’s Project Manager, Murat Altun, officially handed over the stadium to NCS Board Chairperson Ambrose Tashobya after a guided tour of the multi-sports facility.
The inauguration will feature a friendly football match between Kitara FC and KCCA FC, along with volleyball, netball, basketball, and swimming competitions. The event is expected to conclude late in the evening.
Tashobya commended President Museveni for his dedication to sports infrastructure and urged residents of Bunyoro to attend the ceremony in large numbers.
“People will start entering at 9 a.m. using a free ticketing system to manage crowds. The president will arrive around 11 a.m., followed by the Minister of Education and Sports, the ribbon-cutting, a guided tour for some guests, and the president’s address,” Tashobya said.
He described the stadium as a multi-purpose facility capable of hosting all major sports, noting that rentable spaces have been incorporated for sustainability. “We will have a management entity, but people can hire the facility. Restaurants are included; only hostels and hotels were excluded due to limited space,” he added.
Turkish contractors were praised for delivering the stadium five months ahead of the projected 18-month timeline. Murat Altun expressed pride in the achievement and optimism for future projects in Uganda.
“This is the first project in Uganda completed ahead of schedule. The design and execution were excellent, and we thank the president, the contractor, and local leaders for providing a conducive environment,” Tashobya said.
Hoima City Woman MP Nyakato Asinansi described the stadium as a major milestone for the city, emphasizing its potential for talent development and economic opportunities.
“The stadium has arrived, oil is here, and it is time for us to prepare and benefit. This facility will go a long way in identifying talent, and we hope the country develops more such infrastructure to grow sports,” Nyakato said.
The state-of-the-art stadium includes a 2,000-seater modern indoor arena, a semi-Olympic-size swimming pool, a training pitch, over 1,000-car parking, outdoor courts, offices, and a fully equipped gym.
