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The Mandela National Stadium, initially set to be completed by August 1^st , 2023, will now be ready by November 30^th , 2023, according to the First Lady and the Minister of Education and Sports. The UPDF Engineering Brigade requested a change in completion dates to accommodate crucial modifications as part of the stadium’s massive redevelopment plan.

The Mandela National Stadium will be ready by November 30^th, 2023, according to the First Lady and the Minister of Education and Sports. August 1 was the earlier deadline for completion. The completion dates are being moved again this time. The UPDF Engineering Brigade requested a change in dates, according to the ministry.

“The stadium will receive a number of crucial modifications as part of the massive redevelopment plan. These include the installation of solar lighting to save electricity costs, the integration of a cutting-edge ticketing and access control system, and the creation of an effective drainage and irrigation system. The projects also include building a 4.2 kilometre surrounding wall and renovating and elevating the Namboole hotel and stadium to international standards, according to a statement from the First Lady on July 4^th 2023.

“I’ve approved an extension for these intervention activities, moving the initial completion date from August 1^st, 2023, to November 30^th, 2023, in light of these important endeavours. The UPDF Engineering Brigade, the project’s principal contractor, requested this delay, and it was approved.”

The minister had the chance to see personally how the renovation work was progressing during the visit.

“The detailed status report I received illustrated that the updates are advancing in line with FIFA’s standards,” she stated. We are excited for our upcoming visit in November and can’t wait to see the stadium after it has been completely renovated. “Furthermore, I want to emphasise how crucial routine maintenance planning is to maintaining the integrity of public buildings like the Mandela National Stadium. I want to express my appreciation to the UPDF Engineering Brigade for their superb effort in renovating the stadium. Their successes highlight the necessity of maintaining investment in our Technical Institutes, developing home-grown talent, and lowering our dependency on foreign firms.”

The Stadium was built by the Chinese company COMPLANT on February 28^th, 1997, 26 years ago. Although the Chinese company finished its portion of the project, the government has yet to finish additional stadium infrastructure such access roads, parking lots, lagoons, drainage systems, and street lighting, among others. The use of the stadium and its official opening had to be postponed for a year due to the lack of the aforementioned facilities.

The MOU to renovate Namboole Stadium was signed by the Ministries of Education and Sports and Defence and Veteran Affairs on December 2^nd 2022. For renovation projects under Phrase 1, the Parliament budgeted Shs 97 billion, of which Shs 81 billion were released. He praised the UPDF engineering unit for their skill and the good work it has done thus far.