Govt moves to complete Makerere’s long-stalled indoor arena

_______________

Hopes for the completion of the Makerere University Indoor Arena have been revived following a directive from the State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang.

Ogwang has instructed the National Council of Sports (NCS) to include funding for the arena’s completion in the budget for the next financial year, bringing renewed optimism for the facility’s finalisation and future use.

“NCS should allocate sh1b in the next financial year budget to cater for the arena completion since it will provide another option for indoor sports after the redevelopment of the Lugogo sports complex takes centre stage,” Ogwang stated.

He made the remarks during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NCS and Makerere University to construct an AFCON training facility.

NCS general secretary Bernard Ogwel underlined the strategic importance of the Makerere Arena, saying it will become a cornerstone of Uganda’s indoor sports scene. He noted that the planned redevelopment of the Lugogo sports complex will increase the need for alternative venues.

“With the Lugogo sports complex redevelopment set to kick off soon, if completed, the Makerere Arena will provide an alternative facility in which indoor sports will be played and also host local or international events,” Ogwel confirmed.

Makerere University initially constructed the indoor arena in 2018 to host the World University Netball Championships, but it has remained incomplete, limiting its use and hindering the development of indoor sports.

Vice Chancellor Barnabas Nawangwe welcomed the government’s renewed commitment, saying it comes as a major relief.

“We had planned to expand the seating capacity of the arena, hence the delayed completion, but with the government taking charge, it’s a big relief to the university, which will always have it open to the public once complete,” Nawangwe said.

The facility, valued at sh5.57bn, was originally designed to include washrooms, parking, and office space. However, construction stalled after the arena hosted the third edition of the FISU World University Netball Championships in September 2018.

Efforts to identify a new contractor have so far been unsuccessful. The arena was initially built by the UPDF Engineering Brigade, now rebranded as the UPDF Civil Engineers Brigade.

Vision Sport has yet to confirm which contractor will be assigned to complete the project.