The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among has called upon Confederation of African Football (CAF) to return and re-assess Namboole Stadium within two week, after refuting claims of substandard work at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

Among also directed the Minister of Sports, Peter Ogwang to write a letter to CAF after two weeks inviting them to come and re-assess the stadium.

“I therefore direct the Honourable Minister to write back, to the CAF Secretary in two weeks, inviting them to come and re-assess what we saw the last time and make sure that we host CAF and definitely host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON),” Among said.

The Speaker gave the directive on April 15, 2024, following her inspection of the ongoing renovation works and the presentation of the UPDF Engineering Brigade’s status report at Mandela National Stadium.

Among’s directive follows a CAF inspection report read by the Opposition Chief Whip, John Baptist Nambeshe during a plenary session on April 11, 2024, which indicated that Namboole’s current renovation works are below the required standard and subsequently were not approved for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers due to take place late in June 5 and 9, 2026, and AFCON in 2027.

Among noted that hosting the CAF and AFCON will come with very many advantages that will benefit Ugandans.

Among also commended the Engineering Brigade for fencing the property of the stadium which she said had not been easy, and also for securing the land title of the stadium.

“I’m extremely impressed by the UPDF Engineering Brigade for what you have done at Namboole Stadium. Engineering Brigade thanks for securing our property and ensuring that we have a title for this place although so many people are complaining that they have been chased a way but know that you cannot please everybody,” she noted.

Additionally, she directed the board to ensure that the stadium’s land is never used for anything else without a resolution, but only for sports purposes.

Among encouraged MPs to promote Build Uganda Buy Uganda (BUBU) and urged them to always get specialists for what they cannot do just like what the Engineering Brigade.

She also asked Mathias Mpuuga, the Commissioner of Parliament to inspect the facility fully and write a report to parliament.

Peter Seku Kidemuka, the UPDF Project Engineer for Mandela National Stadium said that the construction of the perimeter at Namboole cost worth Ugx 3.8 billion, adding that the Army was able to secure all the 128 acres of land, from several squatters including a witch doctor who had claimed ownership of part of the land.

He dismissed claims of substandard work, saying that some of the requirements by CAF were already in place but were not operational since to him they required the time of match, giving an example of kiosks.

On April 11, 2024, during a Parliamentary plenary session, the Speaker of Parliament directed Peter Ogwang, the State Minister for Sports, to present a statement on the status of Mandela National Stadium Namboole and the accountability of the Ugx 97 billion that was released for the renovations.