Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, has finally secured its land titles and focus has now shifted to immediate renovation of the National Sports Pride.
The years of protracted pursuit have all born fruits following a handover ceremony of the titles held at Ministry of Education boardroom on 7th floor Embassy House.
The Mandela National Stadium Limited has been given three land titles where the stadium sits (and the area around it).
Mandela National Stadium Limited is a Public liability company incorporated under the laws of Uganda with two shareholders – The ministry of Education and Sports and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
Initially, Mandela National Stadium was handed over to the government in 1997 and the titles were issued into the names of Uganda land commission.
The stadium’s land has been constantly encroached by neighbours and the Mandela National Stadium Limited stakeholders could nothing about it as they had no proof of ownership.
On July 16, 2019, at an inter ministerial meeting chaired by First Lady Janat Museveni, it was resolved that the Uganda Land Commission transfer the land titles into the names of Mandela National stadium Limited.
“Arising from the various meetings we have held to resolve land ownership issues regarding Mandela National Stadium limited by shareholders,” started Dorcus Akalany, the Permanent Secretary for Lands and Urban Development Ministry.
“The board of directors, ministry of land, housing and urban development, the Uganda land commission, and having received the legal opinion of the attorney general regarding advising the registration of Mandela National stadium Limited on the company land titles, the Ministry of land was requested to transfer the land title to Mandela National stadium Limited.”
The Ministry of Lands on the instruction of the Uganda Land Commission has processed and transfered three land titles to Mandela National Stadium Limited, the titles are in the Kyadondo and there;
- Title number 1 block 234 plot 1334 which has 1.660 hectare
- Title number 2 is on block 234 plot 6086 which has 12.6410 hectare
- Title number 3 is on block 234 plot 6087 which has 35.899 hectare.
PS Akalany added: “This means that Mandela National Stadium is secure now and what remains of the management of the stadium is to ensure that the land is protected from encroachers since its strategically located and many people are eyeing it. I wish to thank all stakeholders in this matter for the patience and understanding while we were handling the transfer process.”
State Minister for Sports Hon Hamson Obua has said that obtaining these certificates of titles is a conclusive evidence of ownership that the land where the national stadium sits, is now having a land title.
Obua added that the land titles are the guns that Mandela stadium can use to protect itself as shield against encroachers.
Namboole Set For Renovation
Minister Obua said that the Stadium has been in existence without a legitimate land title but its now at liberty to start the process of engaging partners for purposes of development of land on which it sits.
“We have resolved one of the major challenges that the stadium has been facing over the years. With these land titles available, we believe that the governance and management of the stadium will have to move in a more proactive manner to ensure that land earmarked for national sports facility is reopened is protected against encroachers.
“In principle, we want to affirm to you that the needs assessment for renovation and upgrade of the stadium that I announced on behalf of the first lady and Minister of Education and Sports has been concluded in principle. We may not move into principle but we may move into three phases; what should be done in the short term, midterm and longterm. It is huge sums of money for the renovation and upgrade.”
Permanent Secretary from Ministry of Education Alex Kakooza, noted that CAF had stopped Uganda from hosting games at Namboole until renovations at the stadium are undertaken.
Kakooza added that they have made assessment on the medium term renovations.
“That report will now be presented to the shareholders to discuss it with the view if later presenting it to the cabinet for funding,” Kakooza added.
“It is our vision that following the securing of the title, Mandela National Stadium Limited renovation and upgrade will be undertaken to make the stadium a centre for sports training and competition.”
