Namibia Prime Minister hails Hamis Kiggundu over Nakivubo Stadium redevelopment
Nakivubo Stadium, which marked 100 years on April 1, was commissioned by President Museveni on April 25, 2024, before its grand opening on June 1 that year.
By Frank Mugisha
Namibia Prime Minister Dr Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare has praised Ugandan businessman Dr Hamis Kiggundu for transforming Hamz Nakivubo Stadium into a modern sports facility, urging him to consider replicating the project in Namibia.
Ngurare made the remarks during a visit to the stadium as part of his engagements in Uganda for the presidential swearing-in ceremony. He was accompanied by Namibia’s Consul to Uganda and businessman Godfrey Kirumira, Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng and other dignitaries.
“I am impressed that the government here believes in you and they kind of listen to you, and through your hard work and creativity you have made such out of it,” Ngurare said.
Kiggundu, who has business interests and investments in Namibia, thanked the Prime Minister for visiting the facility, attributing the stadium’s transformation partly to President Yoweri Museveni’s support.
“The president is very supportive. Here we got the support of the president fully, especially for this stadium. It had a lot of people who tried to fight it,” he said.
Kiggundu also criticised what he described as negative attitudes towards locally driven development, saying some Ugandans oppose projects undertaken by their own citizens while expecting foreigners to deliver similar investments.
He cited his redevelopment of Nakivubo Channel, saying the project had become a source of employment for Ugandans, although it has also attracted political controversy.
“We need to attack the mind to do away with the negative thinking,” he said, emphasising the need for mindset change to support Africa’s transformation.
Ngurare also commended Kiggundu’s book, Success Based on Reason and Reality, describing its focus on mindset change as important for Africa, particularly its youth.
The Prime Minister invited the businessman to partner with the Namibian government to develop a similar sports facility, saying funding had been budgeted but implementation needed to begin.
Nakivubo Stadium, which marked 100 years on April 1, was commissioned by President Museveni on April 25, 2024, before its grand opening on June 1 that year.
The renovated 35,000-seat facility includes ordinary, VIP and VVIP seating, executive boxes, netball and basketball courts, accommodation and indoor sports facilities.
