President Yoweri Museveni is set to commission the $129 million (Shs 463.2 billion) Hoima City Stadium on Wednesday, marking the official launch of one of Uganda’s most expensive sports infrastructure projects, Daily Star has learned.
The commissioning follows the official handover of the stadium on Monday by Turkish contractor SUMMA to the National Council of Sports (NCS), formally ending the construction phase and shifting focus to management, maintenance, and utilization of the facility.
The handover ceremony, held in Hoima City, was attended by officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports and the Ministry of Works and Transport, which jointly supervised the project.
NCS received the stadium on behalf of government as the agency mandated to manage national sports infrastructure.
Presiding over the technical handover, the Commissioner for Physical Education and Sports, Rev. Canon Dr. Duncans Mugumya, representing the Ministry of Education and Sports Permanent Secretary, confirmed that the facility was ready for use and had met all required technical standards ahead of commissioning.
Ministry of Works Commissioner for Public Structures Eng. Edward Ssimbwa presented SUMMA with a certificate of completion, officially closing the construction phase.
He said the $129 million multi-sports complex was completed five months ahead of schedule, a development officials noted would limit additional costs commonly associated with project delays.
SUMMA Project Manager Murat Altun led government officials on an inspection tour before handing over completion documents to NCS Board Chairperson Ambrose Tashobya, accompanied by board members and NCS General Secretary Dr. Bernard Patrick Ogwel.
Government representatives praised President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni, who also serves as Minister of Education and Sports, for providing funding and political support for the project. However, several speakers emphasized that the facility’s long-term success will depend on effective management, sustainable financing, and consistent programming.
Hoima City leaders welcomed the stadium, saying it is expected to stimulate local economic activity through sports tourism and related businesses. At the same time, they acknowledged the need for clear operational plans to prevent underutilization, a challenge that has affected some public sports facilities across the country.
The commissioning ceremony will include sports activities and Christmas celebrations. Beyond the event, officials said attention will turn to how Hoima City Stadium is integrated into national and regional sports calendars—an outcome expected to determine the project’s lasting value.
