The Deputy Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament Rt. Hon Tomas Tayebwa expressed and pledged full government support towards the joint East African Pamoja bid to host the prestigious 2027 AFCON.
“Parliament appropriates and I want to give you assurance. Any money needed, we are committed, that is why the guarantees were signed by the Executive. Parliament is fully on board and in support of this bid. If the need be we share have to cut appropriations of other sectors such that we fund the development of the necessary infrastructures.’’ Tayebwa said.
He also wondered; ‘’who bewitched East Africa community for not having hosted the prestigious football event.’’ He wondered.’’
“ As East African community we have what it takes to host AFCON because we have a population of over 170 million people who are mostly football lovers including me the Deputy Speaker. I have also travelled to watch the AFCON hosted by other countries.’’
He further said that Uganda hosted the CHOGM successfully and she will also late this year host the African Speakers meeting something that show that Uganda is ready to host the tournament alone.
They inspected Mandela National Stadium, Nakivubo and St. Mary’s Kitende Stadia as well as other facilities such as Mulago Hospital, Serena and Sheraton Hotels, Entebbe Airport and other earmarked training grounds.
St. Mary’s Kitende Stadium owner Dr. Lawrence Mulidwa skipped the CAF inspection exercise of his play ground and reliable sources intimated to this website that he was not he was at his school while the inspection of the playground was going on.
The source further said that he wasn’t happy for his stadium to be earmarked as one of the training grounds that will be used in case the bid goes through instead of being used for matches.
Uganda in its biding document, she indicated that government will develop 2 new 25,000 sitter stadia one at Lira which will be named Akibua stadium and the other at Hoima, Kabalega International Airport which FUFA president Eng. Magogo said is 90% complete, Hotels like Sheraton, Serena, Kampala International School play grounds.
At Mandela National Stadium, the FUFA President made a presentation to the CAF inspection team highlighting Uganda’s proposed facilities including stadiums, training grounds, hotels, hospitals and airports.
He indicated if the bid is awarded to East Africa, it will have lasting positive impacts to this region.
“I believe this is the right time for East Africa to welcome the rest of Africa to our region. I know if this bid is successful, we will have a complete turnaround of the game of football in this region.” The President stated.
He further said that all Ugandans should support the bid in any form because there will be mutual benefit commercially business wise.
By George Bukenya