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Namboole works continue amidst Chan postponement

The new stands placing at the Namboole training ground. PHOTOS/COURTESY 

What you need to know:

The UPDF Engineering Brigade, led by project engineer Peter Sseku Kidemuka, is mainly focused on stitching the natural grass with the synthetic one to turn the pitch into a hybrid surface that can resist wear and tear a lot more. And the other priority is to stop the usual mess that happens at the Southern Gate.

You would expect the news of the postponement of the Africa Nations Championships (Chan) to be a mood dampener at Mandela Stadium, Namboole but it was not.

Instead work goes on like the tournament that was pushed from February 1-28 to a yet to be established date in August is happening tomorrow.

The UPDF Engineering Brigade, led by project engineer Peter Sseku Kidemuka, is mainly focused on stitching the natural grass with the synthetic one to turn the pitch into a hybrid surface that can resist wear and tear a lot more. And the other priority is to stop the usual mess that happens at the Southern Gate.

“We were told that this is only the third hybrid surface in Africa with the others in Morocco and Egypt,” Kidemuka said.

“So we hired these stitching machines and they will be here until we stitch up the pitch at Kyambogo University and maybe Makerere University.

“We imported the sisal yarn to stitch the pitch from the Middle East and we had to fly it in instead of shipping it on water because of the urgency of the situation (before the postponement of Chan). The entire cost of transportation and buying the yarn was about Shs200m.

“Stitching the entire pitch would have taken us 14 days if we were working day and night but now that the pressure (to host Chan) has gone a bit down, we will be done in 21 days.”            

Other works

UPDF have also installed escape routes around the stands just in case of emergencies.

“We were told we need to be able to evacuate fans in case of any emergencies like fires in the stands. But to prevent fans from storming the pitch during or after games, we shall put enclosures and stewards around these areas.

“We have also provided 40 seats for persons with disabilities and their platform has enough space for those who might have wheelchairs. We understand that some of them could not come to Namboole previously because they had not been catered for but this will hopefully change.

"We have also repaired the public address system and Nita-U (National Information Technology Authority) were also here to ensure the internet is improved. That cost about Shs120m

“We also removed 120 lights that we previously had. Each of these lights costs Shs12m and we will hand them over to the PPDA (Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority). The ones we brought cost Shs30m each and we have installed 240 of them as the required and recommended lux by Fifa was about 1200 to 2000. However, when tests were done (by Caf), we passed highly with 1500 to 2200 lux.”

Still with the lights, UPDF have installed an extra 100 lights in the parking lot. You have probably been there in the night previously and seen how dark it can be. The stadium will also have solar security lights installed around the entire perimeter wall.

Southern Gate madness

An additional chain-link fence has been set up to protect the Southern Gate from the fans that storm it from the railway line area. Two security points leading to this gate will also be set up to ensure that before people access the gate, they have sorted their ticketing issues.

Also since fans casually jumped over the turnstiles at some of these gates, these barriers have been made longer and laser wire fitted to a part of fence that can be accessed from the railway line side.

While at it, an area next to the entrance of the stadium from the Western Gate is being fenced off for OB Vans as is the mixed zone at the back of the stadium. The outer training pitch has been fenced off, its dressing rooms fitted with furniture, and also lights of 680 lux installed. The windows of the main dressing rooms have also been blinded.

The Namboole training ground. 

Training pitch improvement

Transferable stands made out of aluminum and can accommodate 1,000 people have also been fitted around the training pitch, whose tartan is already home to some athletics athletes.

“I believe we have completed Phase One of this work and we await to hear from our bosses (government) on Phase Two (which includes constructing a swimming pool). We have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Phase Two and Three but we still have to wait and see if government is happy to see us continue with work.

“The only concern is that after Chan, we had to break part of the stand on the VVIP area to fit a new roof but that was a plan for March and it might now have to wait until August. But that will also pile pressure ahead of Afcon 2027,” Kidemuka said.

But guess who are not bothered by Chan adjustments! The athletics enthusiasts!

“We were told we had to stay away during Chan and also that the place would be closed to put up the new roof.

“But our season starts in March and the National Championships come around June. So, maybe the postponement works for us because if an athlete loses three weeks, they are probably back to zero,” one athletics coach said as he expressed gratitude towards having an up to stand training tartan.

The Numbers

Shs438b – The initial estimate of Namboole’s reconstruction

Shs219b – Expected expense after three phases of total reconstruction

Shs97bn – Cost of Phase I work: Reconstruction of football and athletics aspects, hotel

Shs200m - Cost of buying, hiring, and importing stitching equipment

Shs120m - Cost of ICT improvements 

41,000 – Available seats. Holding capacity is 38,000 seats as some are behind pillars

240 - Lights in stadium producing 1500-2200 lux. Each cost Shs30m.

Training pitch lights produce 680 lux