The speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, has on May, 16, 2024, warned that Uganda stands to lose its rights to host Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) if construction works on Hoima Stadium are delayed, saying that Kenya and Tanzania have already started on their construction projects.
This development follows remarks by the Ministry of Finance on May 15, 2024, while tabling the 3rd supplementary schedule for 2034-2024, where Ugx. 288.634 bn is proposed and Ugx. 152 bn is meant for the construction of the Hoima city national stadium in preparation for the 2027 AFCON.
She said that Uganda won the Pamoja bid alongside Kenya and Tanzania, but the only country behind these construction projects is Uganda.
“We won the Pamoja bid with Kenya and Tanzania; all the other countries are constructing; the only country that is still behind is Uganda, and it is likely that if we don’t move faster like we did with Namboole, that bid will be taken away from Uganda,” said Among.
She added that it is the reason there is a supplementary budget that will be laid on the table based on AFCON.
“We need money to start the stadium in Hoima, and that must be started,” added Among.
According to the Speaker, the money will be given to the contractor (M/S Summa) as part of the 30% advance payment in order to enable the commencement of the construction of the stadium, which is meant to be ready before the deadline of December 31, 2025, as required by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
