Hoima City Stadium nears completion, set for handover in 135 days

Plans to hand over Hoima City Stadium to the government are gaining momentum, with the multi-sports facility now confirmed to be 92% complete.

This progress was revealed during the latest mandatory quarterly inspection led by State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, who toured the 20,000-seater stadium located in the heart of Hoima City.

Sports Minister Peter Ogwang juggling the ball on the hybrid grass at Hoima City Stadium. Photo by Fred Kisekka

He was accompanied by National Council of Sports (NCS) board chairman Ambrose Tashobya and NCS Assistant General Secretary Joseph Oluga.

The stadium is being constructed by Turkish firm Summa International Constructors, who now have just 135 days remaining before the official handover deadline. According to project manager Morat Altun, all major construction work is complete, and the team is now focused on beautifying the facility to match its world-class ambition.

Minister Peter Ogwang (centre) in a black t-shirt is accompanied by NCS' board chairman AMbrose Tashobya and Summa's project manager Morat Altun. Photo by Fred Kisekka

Altun reported that the stadium roof installation is 95% complete, lighting systems are 92% installed, hybrid grass laying is at 98%, and work on the training support centre and mini arena stands at 90%. “I can say we are good to go,” he told Vision Sport.

Minister Ogwang was visibly impressed by the tour and demonstrations, describing the stadium as “world class.”

He remarked, “I pity those who used to think they will have a monopoly over this stadium. What I’m seeing here is world class. Even those with negative energy are left with nothing to say.”

The outside view of Hoima City Stadium. Photo by Fred Kisekka

He went on to emphasize the stadium’s broader significance, calling it a game changer and a catalyst for Uganda’s social and economic transformation. “Long live President Museveni, Long live Maama Janet Museveni, and long live the NRM,” he added.

Hoima City Stadium is more than just a sports venue

Summa Constructors were initially given 18 months to complete the project, but they are on track to deliver in just 11 months. The main stadium includes a mini arena and a training ground, both equipped with hybrid grass and floodlights.

Adjacent to the training ground is a multi-sport arena designed to host a variety of disciplines including boxing, basketball, netball, volleyball, and handball. This arena will accommodate up to 2,000 spectators and is equipped for both day and night events, including music concerts.

In terms of design, Hoima City Stadium offers a fresh take compared to Nelson Mandela National Stadium. Instead of directional gates, it features colour-coded entrances—Yellow, Red, Green, and Blue, each with its own cafeteria. Inside the main stadium, visitors are greeted by two LED scoreboards positioned above the goalposts, a notable upgrade from Namboole’s single scoreboard.

Seats have already been installed. Photo by Fred Kisekka

The facility also boasts VIP and VVIP lounges, a world-class restaurant and kitchen, a CCTV control centre, and a Venue Operating Centre (VOC) with 360-degree surveillance cameras to monitor all activity within the stadium. The top floor houses the media tribune.

Emergency preparedness has been prioritized, with four medical units for spectators and eight for athletes. Of the stadium’s 20,000-seat capacity, 104 seats are reserved for persons with disabilities (PWDs), and two wheelchair elevators have been installed to ensure accessibility. Power reliability is ensured by four megawatt standby generators and two transformers.

The outside view of Hoima City Stadium. Photo by Fred Kisekka

Beyond the stadium walls, the complex includes two volleyball courts, a basketball court, a 25x20-meter swimming pool, a world-class boxing gym, and a main venue cafeteria. Parking is well catered for, with an underground lot for 270 cars and an external lot for 700 vehicles. There is also commercial space available for rent, primarily intended for banks and large retail stores.

Hoima City Stadium is not just a venue—it’s a symbol of progress, a hub for community engagement, and a bold step forward in Uganda’s sporting and infrastructural development.