Decolas Kiiza, the Deputy CEO in charge of Football at the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), has emphasized the need for the government to allocate a maintenance budget for Namboole Stadium, following its recent refurbishment.
Kiiza’s remarks come in light of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) granting approval for FUFA to host international matches at the Mandela National Stadium, also known as Namboole Stadium.
He argued that a maintenance budget for Namboole Stadium is crucial for the long-term sustainability of the stadium, ensuring it remains a top-tier venue for international and domestic football events.
The Mandela National Stadium has been undergoing extensive renovations, spearheaded by the UPDF Engineering Brigade, after being closed for over four years.
“For FUFA, it marks a milestone, reducing the need to incur significant expenses in hosting games abroad,” stated Decolas Kiiza.
The approval from CAF is timely as Uganda Cranes, the national football team, is set to host crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at Namboole Stadium. The team is scheduled to face Botswana on June 3rd and Algeria on June 10th.
Currently, Uganda occupies the fourth position in Group G, alongside Algeria, Botswana, Guinea, Mozambique, and Somalia. Securing a spot in the final round of African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup remains a historic opportunity for Uganda.
