📷 Hoima stadium takes shape with seating, roofing underway

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Uganda is abuzz with excitement as construction of the Hoima city stadium reaches a significant milestone.

Roofing works have begun on the multi-purpose sports facility, prompting sports state minister Peter Ogwang to describe it as an “early Christmas gift” for the nation.

The stadium is a key element in Uganda’s joint hosting of the 2027 AFCON tournament with Kenya and Tanzania. It is also expected to play a major role in nurturing and identifying talent across the country and the wider region.

The project is being executed by Turkish firm Summa Construction Company, which has confirmed that it will hand over the site on December 20.

Minister Ogwang expressed his satisfaction with the progress.

Roofing works underway at the Hoima City stadium, which is nearing completion. (Photo by Charles Lwanga)

Minister Peter Ogwang and other LOC members touring the rooms of the stadium under guidance of the project manager Murat Altum. (Photo by Charles Lwanga)

One of the Turkish experts doing tile installation at work in one of the rooms of the stadium. (Photo by Charles Lwanga)

“We are very delighted that this contractor is doing all in his mandate to ensure that the facility is ready, and surely all signs show that, unlike as expected, all works will be done just 14 months into works, not in 18 as earlier planned,” he said.

He made the remarks after an intensive on-site meeting at Hoima City Stadium, following a progress assessment visit on May 9, 2025.

The inspection team, led by the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Education and Sports, Dr Kedrace Turyagyenda, and Minister Ogwang as co-chairperson of the local organising committee, observed that the facility is already “70% complete” since construction began. The commencement of roofing marks one of the final structural phases.

The 20,000-seater main stadium is currently undergoing installation of spectator seats, while preparations are underway for grass planting and the development of the VIP/VVIP sections. The western side of the stadium—set to include dressing rooms, a media centre, mixed zones, and accessible areas—is also under construction.

The Hoima city stadium indoor arena under construction. (Photo by Charles Lwanga)

The eastern side of the facility undergoing roofing works. (Photo by Charles Lwanga)

The sh470b project extends beyond the main stadium and includes “a new indoor arena that is being set up, a semi-Olympic swimming pool, a training pitch fitted with a running track, and four outdoor courts for basketball, volleyball, tennis, and netball.”

Ogwang highlighted the impact of past visits to the site, particularly one by the President in February.

“The February visit by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni instilled more confidence in the contractor for their great knowledge of the works after significant projects done in Rwanda, Senegal, and Gabon,” he said.

Hoima city stadium playing surface awaiting grass planting after the installation of the sand. (Photo by Charles Lwanga)

The semi-olympic-size swimming pool is already nearing completion at the facility. (Photo by Charles Lwanga)

Looking ahead, Uganda is preparing to host CAF inspectors for the CHAN tournament. Ogwang confirmed that they will also assess the Hoima facility.

“We plan to bring the CAF inspectors to the Hoima city stadium site so that the contractor can be brought to book with stadium first supervisors who will recommend certain changes that are easy to enact while constructions are still ongoing,” he said.

National Council of Sports (NCS) general secretary Bernard Ogwel outlined the government’s broader sporting infrastructure vision.

“With Akii Bua Olympic stadium works also ongoing in Lira city, there is no doubt that government is now fully vested into the development of the rich talent all over the country with also regional stadiums in areas like Masaka, Buhinga, Mbale, Fort Portal, Mbarara earmarked for revamp as well as a high altitude training centre to be set up in Kabale District,” he said.