Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, is set to host its first major non-sporting event since its reopening, as Pastor Aloysius Bugingo of House of Prayer Ministries has secured the venue for “Independence Night” prayers on October 4, 2024.
This announcement comes despite earlier government assurances that the stadium would be reserved exclusively for sports.
During last Sunday’s service at the House of Prayer Ministries, also known as “Canaan Land,” Pastor Bugingo revealed that his church had been granted permission by the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) Engineering Brigade.
“I thank the UPDF Engineering Brigade because they allowed as to rent the stadium on October 4, and I call upon everyone from all corners of the country to come and gather at the national stadium,” Bugingo stated.
He went on to thank UPDF for doing an outstanding job at Namboole saying, “We thank the management of Namboole. We toured the stadium, and the UPDF Engineering Brigade has done a tremendous job.”
He also confirmed that entrance to the prayers would be free.
This announcement has raised eyebrows, especially considering the statement made by State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, in December 2023.
Ogwang had firmly stated that once renovation works were completed, the stadium would be reserved strictly for football and rugby.
“I want to put it from today that the pitch, the central nerve of the stadium, which is the pitch, will not be used for any other activities other than sport,” Ogwang told the media in December 2023.
“Because I know the amount of work which has been done on that pitch. That pitch has been worked on international standards, both inside and outside,” Ogwang said before adding;
“We’re banning any other activities from the pitch; it will not be used for anything other than the sport of football and rugby.”
Uganda Cranes are set to play South Sudan in an Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier on October 7, just three days after Pastor Bugingo’s planned prayers.
About UGX 97 billion was used for the stadium’s phased renovation, which began in February 2022, aimed at restoring Namboole to its former glory as Uganda’s premier sports facility.
The stadium officially reopened on May 1, 2024, with two StarTimes Uganda Premier League matches between BUL and Vipers, and KCCA and Villa, marking the return of top-level football to the venue.
Namboole also hosted its first international football match since 2019 when the Uganda Cranes took on Botswana on June 7, and later Algeria on June 10.
According to the stadium’s project engineer, Eng. Lt. Col. Peter Kidemuka, a playing surface requires at least five days to fully recover after an event.
It is however not yet clear which exact part of the stadium will host the scheduled prayers.
Namboole is also set to host the popular Passover prayers on December 31, 2024.
This event, which has been a fixture at the stadium for over 20 years, was last held there in September 2019, before being halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and renovations.
