UPDF set to silence critics on Namboole refurbishment

This afternoon, Ugandans will get a chance to witness first-hand the refurbishment works at Namboole stadium when it hosts two top-flight league games.

I am happy that for once, Fufa has drummed up the hype for league games but the real reasons fans are going to turn in big numbers is to see the state of the stadium, which was closed in 2000.

I got a chance to visit Namboole last week and it is clear from the playing turf to the washrooms that the UPDF Engineering Brigade has done a stellar job. I know some top Fufa officials who tried everything to ensure that they demonize the project as shoddy but they will be shocked to learn that everything is immaculate.

Last week when President Museveni commissioned the rebuilt Nakivubo stadium, he said that government plans to build two new stadiums in the next two years.

Hamis Kiggundu, the developer of Nakivubo, claims he spent $200m on the stadium but UPDF spent just Shs 97bn on Namboole. Given that repairing can sometimes be more expensive than construction, I can only give the UPDF a pat on the back.

I am sure the president will soon visit Namboole stadium to see the UPDF and going by what is the UPDF has done, they will be prime candidates to build those two stadiums.  Without seeming to be a praisesinger for the UPDF, I will let the public decide when we meet at Namboole.

JUJU WAVE WORRYING IN UPL

Of recent, talk is rife about the rampant use of witchcraft in the Uganda Premier League. Several people have come up with testimonies that accuse various team coaches, players and staff of involvement in acts of juju.

It is really worrying that in this day and age, especially at a crucial moment where any of the top five teams can win the league, the biggest talking point is the use of juju.

I can only hope that teams employ ‘juju’ as a tactic to intimidate and scare an opponent but it would be sad if all those involved in the act actually believe juju can help them win. Such talk takes us back yet if really juju worked in football, then African teams would be winning everything.

The author is SC Villa president emeritus.