Watch Kidemuka interview here:
The much-anticipated CAF Champions League qualifier between SC Villa and Ethiopia’s CBE, scheduled for this Saturday, August 17, is now in jeopardy.
According to Lt. Col. Eng. Peter Seku Kidemuka, the UPDF project engineer overseeing the renovation of Namboole Stadium, the venue is not yet ready to host the match.
Speaking on Tuesday, Kidemuka revealed that the stadium is still under extensive renovation, particularly citing the unfinished and still-wet running track as a major concern.
“There is no team that will play here, it’s a lie. Namboole is still under renovation,” Kidemuka said on Wednesday.
“They can’t come and destroy this [running tartan], it’s still even wet,” he remarked emphatically.
Kidemuka dismissed any claims that the stadium was cleared for the game as mere rumors. “No team has been allowed to play from here. Unless they are dropped in the stadium by a chopper,” he added, highlighting the impracticality of hosting any match at the venue in its current state.
It has been reported that any damage to the running track, which is still wet, would necessitate a complete redo. This process might require bringing in experts from World Athletics again.
SC Villa, alongside Kitara FC—who are set to represent Uganda in the CAF Confederation Cup—had both written to the Namboole management requesting to host their continental games at the stadium.
Kitara was scheduled to play Al Hilal Benghazi of Libya on Friday, August 16, while SC Villa’s fixture against CBE was slated for the following day.
However, both teams’ requests were denied, with Namboole management citing ongoing renovations.
Additionally, the pitch has been reportedly compromised due to recent training sessions held there for the Rugby Africa Cup, which took place on the stadium’s outer pitch.
Despite the denial, SC Villa is said to have persisted in their efforts, and have since posted publicly that they are hosting their game at Namboole this Saturday.
This latest development has sparked confusion and concern among stakeholders including fans, especially given that Namboole is one of only two stadiums in Uganda approved by CAF to host interclub competitions this year—the other being Kitende.
Kitara’s alternative request to use Kitende was also turned down due to a congested schedule at the venue. As a result, the club has opted to host their match in Libya instead.
State Minister for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang, when contacted, indicated that he would be meeting with the Namboole management on Wednesday morning to address the SC Villa issue.
The outcome of this meeting will likely determine the fate of Saturday’s game and whether SC Villa will need to seek an alternative venue at the last minute.
Minister Ogwang:
