Outgoing Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has warned that land grabbing remains the biggest threat to sports development in Kampala, saying the steady loss of open spaces is limiting opportunities for young athletes in the city.
Speaking to NBS Sport, Lukwago said several former training grounds and community playgrounds have been taken over by private investors and converted into commercial arcades, reducing access to facilities where talent can be nurtured.
He pointed to the struggle to protect the land hosting Phillip Omondi Stadium as one of the toughest battles during his time in office.
“Even saving that little space we are having for Phillip Omondi Stadium was not easy because they wanted to take it away and turn it into a commercial complex with malls. But we struggled and struggled to preserve it, which I count as a huge achievement during my tenure in office,” says Lukwago.
Phillip Omondi Stadium, home to 13 time Uganda Premier League champions KCCA FC, remains one of the few surviving sports venues within the city centre after years of pressure from property developers. Lukwago acknowledged that part of the land was sold to investors but said authorities worked to retain enough space to sustain football activities at the ground.
He also raised concerns about whether the stadium will meet Confederation of African Football requirements as a possible training venue for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Uganda will co host under the Pamoja AFCON 2027 arrangement alongside Kenya and Tanzania.
The tournament has intensified focus on sports infrastructure, with city authorities facing growing calls to protect existing facilities while planning upgrades needed for continental competition.
