Share this article

The Ugandan government has joined forces with Summa, a Turkish construction company, to construct a modern multipurpose indoor sports complex in Kampala, Uganda. The complex, with a seating capacity of 15,000, will be situated at the National Council of Sports (NCS) premises in Lugogo. President Yoweri Museveni welcomed Summa to Uganda and pledged government support for the project.

The Ugandan government has partnered with Summa, a Turkish construction company, to construct a modern state-of-the-art multipurpose indoor sports complex in Kampala.

With a seating capacity of 15,000 people, the complex will be set up at the premises of the National Council of Sports (NCS) at Lugogo.

The development was revealed by President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday (September 19), according to a statement from his press team.

In the company of First Lady Janet Museveni, the President met with sports state minister Peter Ogwang and officials from Summa Construction Company.

 He welcomed the Turkish firm to Uganda and pledged government’s support towards the construction of the complex.

The First Lady, who is also the Minister of Education and Sports, thanked fellow minister Ogwang and his team for their unwavering effort towards the project, which she said is going to promote Uganda’s sports sector.

She also thanked Summa “for the work you have done across the continent and for being ready to come to Uganda”.

The facility will include, among other amenities.

 A multipurpose indoor arena with the seating capacity of 15,000 people, small indoor sports arena with a seating capacity of 3,000 people, a 25-metre-long swimming pool with eight lanes, a multi-purpose standard pitch, an athlete hostel with a capacity of 60 people, an accommodation facility with 120 rooms, a showroom, a shopping centre, and a state-of-the-art fitness gym

The technical team informed the President that the current state of the sports facilities at Lugogo does not meet the standards for hosting international competitions.

Yet, such international events are in one way or the other drivers of economic success because they generate revenue while at the same time create jobs and more investments.

On his part, Minister Ogwang said that during their meetings with the company, they agreed, among other things, that the complex has land which is approximately 12.6 acres.

He said they also agreed that the complex contains an administrative block for NCS, parking space provision with a capacity of 1,000 cars plus a modern physiotherapy and wellness facility.

“Your Excellency, this proposed project comes at a time when the country is struggling with inadequate sports infrastructure, which cannot meet the demands of the growing talent in various sports disciplines in the country,” said Ogwang.

The current Lugogo complex was constructed in 1957 and has never had a major refurbishment, leaving it in a dilapidated state. Furthermore, the facility has condemned materials like asbestos roof and the structural integrity of some of the structures is compromised,” added sports state minister Ogwang.

“Since the proposed project is located in the upscale Kololo neighbourhood of Kampala, with a land value of approximately $31 million (about sh116 billion), there is need to construct infrastructure that is commensurate with the land value.

“This real development is estimated to increase the non-tax revenue from the current $270,000 per annum (about sh1 billion) to approximately $22 million (about sh82 billion) per annum.”

He added that this project will “strengthen talent identification and development” and that it will “act as a platform for local talent and increase youth participation in sports”.

“This project is poised to be the best in East and Central Africa, what will turn into a source of national pride.”

Murat Altun, the project manager of Summa Construction Company, said they are ready to work on the project and will complete it on time.

Altun said their construction company has successfully set up projects in various countries, including Uganda’s neighbour Rwanda.

We are committed. We have skills to develop those infrastructure within the shortest time possible and the Government of Uganda will also benefit from those facilities,” he said.