The Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has directed Ministry of Education and Sports officials to immediately remove dead Pioneer Bus company from Mandela National stadium to pave way for the country to host African Nations Championship (CHAN) in September 2024 and African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.
“I want you to have the scrap buses out of Namboole using the legal mechanism. Removal of these redundant buses will help the contractor to organise the parking area,”Among said.
Among has also tasked the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) to investigate Uganda Land Commission (ULC) for sub leasing land in stadium to the bus company.
“I want COSASE to take it as a priority to find out how ULC sub-leased land belonging to another entity without authorisation and funds collected as non-tax revenue; and how buses got to Namboole as if it is a parking yard,” she said.
Mathias Mpuuga urged Parliament to investigate claims by the bus company that Namboole stadium management owes them Shs25 billion.
“I hope when the matter of Pioneer comes to Parliament, Parliament will be very strict in investigating circumstances under which Pioneer bus owners ended up at Namboole, acquiring a lease of 49 years and now they are in court requiring compensation of over Shs25billion for business loss,” Mpuug said.
Parliament has so far approved Shs97billion for phase one renovation works of the facility, ahead of CHAN, and Mpuuga recommended an interim audit of the funds.
He further recommended that the Minister of Sports reports to Parliament on a weekly basis on the progress made on renovation works at the National Stadium.
According to Mpuuga all issues raised by CAF were valid and are basic requirements for certifying a sports facility to host international events.
In response to the removal of the buses from the stadium, the Minister of State for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, said he is liaising with the management of Namboole to secure a court order to have the buses vacated.
Erute County Member of Parliament, Hon. Jonathan Odur, however cast doubt over the ability to beat the two weeks’ deadline to fix the stadium by June 2024 to which Minister Ogwang said he will appeal to CAF to re-inspect the stadium.
“Give me a week or two and I finish the works, it is in all our interest that all the games are played at home. Stand with me to ensure that the Uganda People’s Defense Forces engineering brigade completes the pending works,” Ogwang said.
On 27 September 2023, CAF awarded hosting rights for the 36th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 to Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania under the East Africa joint Pamoja Bid.
