President Yoweri Museveni has officially commissioned the 20,000-seat Hoima City Stadium, describing the facility as a symbol of Uganda’s economic growth, strategic planning, and commitment to sports development.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the President praised First Lady and Minister of Education Janet Museveni for her leadership in overseeing the project’s implementation.
“The First Lady has done an excellent job in guiding this project from start to finish,” Museveni said.
The President explained that the decision to construct the stadium was driven by several strategic developments in the Bunyoro region.
“Because of the oil discoveries here, we built new roads and an international airport. Then the sports authorities informed us that Uganda would host AFCON. We needed stadiums, and we therefore focused on Hoima,” he noted.
Built in 12 months by Turkish firm Summa Group and fully funded by the Government of Uganda.
Museveni emphasized that the rapid completion was made possible by the government’s strong economic foundation.
“This stadium has been built entirely with our own resources. It shows that when we plan and manage our economy systematically, we can achieve great things,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of careful planning, the President added: “AFCON 2027 has motivated us to act. Handling one thing at a time makes a bundle; trying to do everything at once does not.”
First Lady Janet Museveni described the stadium as a testament to Uganda’s unity and national resilience. She commended Summa Group for delivering the project on time, within budget, and to high standards, and urged citizens to protect the facility as a national asset and source of pride.
She also revealed that Hoima City Stadium is the first of several sports facilities the government plans to complete within the next 18 months ahead of AFCON 2027, all fully funded by the government.
State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang said the stadium demonstrates what can be achieved through focused leadership, clear priorities, and collaboration between government and contractors. He noted that Hoima became a strategic priority after Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania won the joint bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
“Thank you, Maama the First Lady, for delivering this perfect Christmas gift for Ugandans. This is more than a stadium—it is a home where every Ugandan can look forward to victories and lasting memories,” Ogwang said.
The completion of Hoima City Stadium not only strengthens Uganda’s capacity to host international sporting events but also underscores the government’s broader commitment to infrastructure development, regional economic growth, and national unity.