The construction of Hoima City Stadium has taken another major step forward, with the first batch of steel trusses for the roofing now on site.
Turkish contractor SUMMA is set to begin roofing in the next two weeks, marking a crucial phase in the fast-paced development of Uganda’s second national stadium.
Work at the $129.7 million multi-sports complex continues around the clock, with two eight-hour shifts running until 1 AM daily.
With the stadium already over 50% complete, SUMMA is pushing to hand over the facility to the National Council of Sports (NCS) even earlier than the December deadline.
The speed and efficiency of the Hoima project have not gone unnoticed, with the government eyeing SUMMA for the next phase of renovations at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Pending procurement approvals, the Turkish firm is expected to take over from the UPDF Engineering Brigade to execute key upgrades, including installing a canopy around the stands, expanding VVIP sections to accommodate up to nine heads of state, and constructing a multi-purpose indoor arena similar to the one in Hoima.
Funding for these projects is set to come from the Shs4.255 trillion supplementary budget tabled in Parliament last week.
The budget, currently under scrutiny by the Budget Committee, includes allocations for AFCON 2027 preparations, covering the completion of Hoima Stadium, the construction of Akii-Bua Stadium in Lira, training facilities, and other operational expenses.
With the Cranes’ last World Cup Qualifier at Namboole set for September against Somalia, the stadium will be closed afterward to allow for renovations.
During this period, Hoima Stadium is expected to host Uganda’s home fixtures, further cementing its role as a key national sports venue.
As SUMMA accelerates work on both Hoima and potentially Namboole, Uganda’s dream of delivering world-class sports infrastructure ahead of AFCON 2027 is fast becoming a reality.
