Hon. Amos Lugoloobi, State Minister for Finance, has stated that the Shs17 billion balance required for the completion of the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, will be made available.

Lugoloobi made this commitment on April 12, 2024, while appearing before parliament to explain the whereabouts of the Shs 17B needed to complete the renovation works at the stadium.

“Effective today, we are going to trigger the process to ensure that the money is available,” Lugoloobi stated.

This was after Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among asked the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to explain the whereabouts of the Shs17 billion intended for the completion of works at Namboole.

“Can we get an understanding from the Minister of Finance because the whole blame is going to finance? Then, after releasing all the money, we shall put the task back to the Minister of Sports to ensure that the stadium is complete,” Among said.

Hon. Peter Ogwang, the State Minister for Sports, while presenting the status report on the preparedness of Mandela National Stadium, said that his ministry repeatedly wrote to the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to release the balance of Shs17B for the completion of works, but all in vain.

On April 11, 2024, the State Minister for Sports was tasked with presenting a status report on the preparedness of Namboole Stadium for the forthcoming CHAN and AFCON tournaments.