Cabinet moves to amend Nakivubo stadium law
Government is in the process of granting Mr Hamis Kiggundu aka Ham a 49-year-lease to redevelop and manage Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium (NWMS).
The businessman built shopping malls around the sports facility but the planned redevelopment of the stadium stalled under unclear circumstances.
Mr Kiggundu of Ham Enterprises Ltd has since attributed procrastination on unclear contractual obligations between him and the board of the stadium.
Recently, he met President Museveni but the details of Kisozi meeting in Gomba District were not disclosed.
It is, however, not clear whether Mr Kiggundu requested Mr Museveni to intervene before Cabinet resolved to amend NWMS Trust Act, 1953 and ensure that the businessman is happy.
Cabinet yesterday released a statement confirming the proposed amendments to Nakivubo law.
The State minister for Sports, Mr Charles Bakkabulindi, said the proposed amendments seek to streamline the inconsistencies in the current law and resolve management wrangles. He, however did not disclose details.
Although Cabinet resolved to amend the law, Parliament holds the power to make laws.
A Cabinet brief issued yesterday explains that the proposed amendments among others seek to strengthen the legal framework for redevelopment and upgrading of the stadium, prohibiting the board members from selling and leasing the facility, and providing for robust and proactive stadium management.
“The new law will give security of tenure to the developer and it will also stipulate the contractual obligations between the developer and the board because these have been lacking in the old law,” he said in an interview yesterday.
The security of tenure means that the developer will have the legal right to continue using the property from the owner despite expiry of their lease.
Other sources talked of a 49-year- lease Kiggundu had requested the President in 2015 when he first pitched the idea to him.
Source say the businessman does not have a contract with government but was told to proceed with the developments.
The facility was established under the NWMS Trust Act, 1953 and is run by the Board of Trustees known as the registered Trustees of NWMS, appointed by the Sports minister.
Section 8(i) of the NWMS Trust Act 1953 gives the board powers to, from time to time hire or permit the use of such part of the trust property as consists of land, buildings or equipment to or by any person for the purpose of conducting any athletic or sporting contests or games, at such fee, if any, as the board may from time to time determine.
According to the Act, the board may also support and aid in the establishment and support, whether by the grant or loan, with or without interest, of monies or otherwise, of any association or body formed for the purpose of promotion and encouragement of athletic sport and games.
But if the Act is amended as proposed, then government will be in full control of the facility.
The minister declined to explain why government wants to strip the board of its powers, saying that he was attending a meeting.
Since the redevelopment of the stadium started in 2016, there has been public concern on how Mr Kiggundu won the contract.
Mr Kiggundu declined to comment on the matter, saying he would only comment when Cabinet makes an official communication.
