Express Football Club have announced their relocation from Mutesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku, to the newly constructed Nakivubo Stadium now known as Hamz Stadium for the upcoming 2024/25 season.
This move ends a remarkable 33-year tenure at Wankulukuku, marking the end of an era filled with memorable moments for the Red Eagles.
The relocation from Wankulukuku comes after the seven-time Uganda Premier League champions officially registered Hamz Stadium as their new home ground.
According to a statement released by the club on Monday afternoon, the decision aligns with the club’s broader strategy to grow and achieve new heights in Ugandan football.
The transition comes with hopes of revitalising the club’s fortunes, as Express aims to overcome recent struggles and reassert their dominance in the league.
The club, in the statement further expressed deep gratitude for the support and dedication received from fans and the stadium management over the years.
“Wankulukuku Stadium has not only been a home for our team but also a sanctuary for our fans, a place where countless moments of joy, triumph, and even heartache have bonded us all together,” the statement read.
“The memories we have created here are entrenched into the heart of our club and will forever be a significant part of our history.”
Express FC’s move back to Nakivubo is particularly poignant, as the club initially played at this venue before relocating to Wankulukuku in January 1991.
The congestion at Nakivubo, which was shared by five clubs at the time, including KCC and Uganda Airlines, prompted the move to Wankulukuku, they played their game there against the now-defunct Coffee FC.
The Red Eagles have won seven premier league titles and 10 Uganda Cup trophies in the 33 years that they have hosted games at Wankulukuku.
Over the past two seasons, Express shared Wankulukuku with rivals SC Villa, who clinched the league title last season while they narrowly avoided relegation when they finished 12th.
The newly renovated Nakivubo Stadium, now under the name Hamz Stadium following extensive refurbishment by businessman Ham Kiggundu, is poised to offer a fresh start for the club popularly known as ‘Mukwano Gwanangi’.
The club’s management is reportedly exploring a partnership with Kiggundu to manage the transition and financial aspects associated with the move.
During the grand opening of Hamz Stadium on June 3rd, Villa edged Express 1-0 in the headline game for the day, courtesy of a goal scored by Andrew Otim.
