Why Nakivubo Stadium Is Now Named After Tycoon Hamis Kiggundu

Ugandans have been with a lot of questions in the past few days after the historical Nakivubo stadium started taking shape. The stadium which was contracted to businessman Ham Kiggundu started getting chairs fixed into it this week.

However, these chairs have a logo and Ham’s name on them. This has had Ugandans questioning whether the stadium is going to be known as Ham Stadium going forward.

They wondered why Nakivubo which is a government property is being named after an individual.

“What is this, Is Nakivubo stadium a government property or Ham’s property, Wabulla tumanyiddwa mu gwanga lyaffe,” said a social media user. However, Mp Hon Daudi Kabanda came out to defend the businessman.

He questioned whether all the famous stadiums such as The Emirates which belongs to English Premier League side Arsenal belong to the Emirates company.

“@Arsenal‘s Stadium is called Emirates Stadium, does it mean that Emirates owns it? @KCCAFC‘s Stadium is called MTN Philip Omondi Stadium, does it mean that @mtnug owns it?,” said Kabanda.

Kabanda added that Ham built this stadium using a loan he acquired from the government. And since he’s going to pay back this loan, he has the right to brand the stadium. This however doesn’t mean that he’s owned it.

“Ham is going to refund that money it was a loan. Read the agreement, if you don’t have it ask.,” added the MP.

Nakivubo Stadium has had its own issues ever since it went under reconstruction. Ham was given the contract in 2017 and it was expected that it would be done in 5 years. Works however on the 35,000-seater is yet to be completed.

The real estate mogul had COVID-19  to blame for this. Besides Ham while on a business trip with Museveni shocked Ugandans back home when he said that the project cost about 200 million dollars. Besides Ugandans don’t see the real plan which was put out being effected.