By John Barnes Ssentamu
Contractors SUMMA have officially handed over the newly completed Hoima City Stadium to the National Council of Sports (NCS), clearing the way for its grand commissioning by His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Christmas Eve. The handover marks a major milestone in Uganda’s sports infrastructure development and the realization of a long-held dream for the Bunyoro sub-region.
The official handover ceremony was conducted in the presence of NCS officials, the Ministry of Education and Sports, and the Ministry of Works and Transport, the supervising consultants of the project. Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Sports, Dr Kedrace Turyagenda, the Commissioner for Physical Education and Sports, Rev. Canon Dr Duncans Mugumya, presided over the technical handover.
During the ceremony, the Ministry of Works and Transport Commissioner for Public Structures, Eng. Edward Ssimbwa representing Permanent Secretary Waiswa Bageya presented SUMMA with a certificate of completion, formally confirming the successful delivery of the project.
SUMMA Project Manager Murat Altun led officials on a guided tour of the stadium’s key components before handing over the instruments of the facility to NCS Board Chairman Ambrose Tashobya. The moment was witnessed by NCS board members Moses Omara Anyii, Hajji Zubair Galiwango, Stephen Kiprotich, Piloya Evelyn Gloria and Cecilia Anyakoit, alongside NCS General Secretary Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel and the council’s top management team.
Dr Mugumya, Chairman Tashobya and Dr Ogwel jointly expressed deep appreciation to President Museveni and the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, for their unwavering leadership, oversight and full financial backing that ensured the project’s completion.
They also lauded Turkish firm SUMMA for delivering the $129 million multi-sports complex five months ahead of schedule, citing efficiency, speed and exceptional quality. Praise was equally extended to Project Manager Eng. Ivan Gombya and the Ministry of Works supervision team.
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Special Presidential Assistant on Education and Sports Gunter Lange, Hoima City Resident City Commissioner Badru Mugabi and Mayor Brian Kaboyo.
With the handover complete, all is set for President Museveni to officially commission the iconic stadium, ushering in a festive and historic Christmas for Uganda’s sports fraternity.
