The Sports Minister, Peter Ogwang, has appealed to journalists to report facts, emphasizing that this will aid in the growth of sports in the country. He stressed the importance of thorough research, even when making comparisons. Speaking on NBS Inside Sport, he expressed his delight at finally receiving the pending balance of Shs. 17 billion, which was part of the Shs 97 billion allocated for the renovation of Namboole Stadium. He acknowledged the government’s commitment to sports development, noting that more support is forthcoming.
Earlier in the day, he hosted the Speaker of Parliament, Ms. Anita Among, for a tour of Namboole Stadium to assess the renovation progress. During the tour, the Speaker commended the UPDF for their work but announced plans for an audit to scrutinize expenditure and determine future financial needs.
Speaker Among directed the State Minister of Sports, Mr. Peter Ogwang, to remove Pioneer buses currently occupying stadium land. She stated, “You did not bring the buses here, you don’t have a contract with the Uganda Land Commission (ULC), nor did they seek permission to lease out the land. We need vacant land, and you must report to the House tomorrow.”
Regarding compensation, Colonel Godfrey Tukamwayirikya acknowledged that all squatters, including a witch doctor claiming ownership with purported land titles demanding Shs 2 billion, had vacated the stadium land without compensation.