The Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, is set to undergo rigorous testing with two Uganda Premier League fixtures, selected by FUFA to evaluate the stadium’s readiness after two years of renovations.
These selected fixtures include a traditional Kampala derby between KCCA FC and SC Villa, as well as a match featuring BUL FC against Vipers SC, a club based in Kitende.
FUFA has indicated that these games will serve as crucial test events before the official reopening of the stadium. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) requires such test events before approving hosting international matches.
Uganda Cranes is set to face Botswana and Algeria in matchday 3 and 4 respectively of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June 2024, but a recent CAF inspection report revealed that Namboole Stadium, which has been undergoing renovations for the past two years, still falls short of the required standards to host international games.
Key issues flagged by the report include relocating the media tribunal, addressing an unfinished ceiling, upgrading floodlights, enhancing the VVIP section, and reducing seating capacity from 40,818 to 38,000 due to visibility concerns caused by structural posts. This jeopardized FUFA’s long-term hope of having Uganda Cranes play the two World Cup fixtures at home as opposed to the previous international engagements that were held away from home due to the unavailability of a suitable stadium.
However, the report did not stop FUFA from continuing to engage CAF to accept Namboole to host the upcoming Uganda Cranes World Cup qualifying fixtures provided that the highlighted issues were worked on before June. Now, speaking to the press today, FUFA Executive Committee Member Rogers Byamukama emphasized that a test match is the final phase to confirm the stadium’s readiness for international games.
He explained the choice of KCCA FC Vs SC Villa and BUL Vs Vipers due to the substantial following and competitive nature of these teams vying for this year’s silverware. The last time Uganda Cranes hosted a game at Namboole was in November 2019 before CAF and the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) inspectors closed it saying the facility is substandard and deemed unfit for any international game.
The two bodies found the pitch, toilets, pavilion, and dressing rooms at the Mandela Stadium in an appalling state, declaring it unfit to host any continental and international match and recommending an overhaul.