Construction work at KCCA FC’s MTN Omondi Stadium officially commenced on Thursday with a groundbreaking ceremony at the facility located in Lugogo, Kampala.
The redevelopment is projected to be completed after five years and will see the stadium accommodate 9000 fans.
Construction work was initially scheduled to start midway last year and was later pushed to 2021 before Sarjan Contractors were handed the deal.
The ground-breaking ceremony was attended by KCCA Lord Mayor His Worship Erias Lukwago and KCCA Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka.
“Across the board its now accepted that we should embark on this journey,” Lukwago said.
On delays, Lukwago said: “We did not have the funds initially. The biggest problem has been funding, we launched our strategic plan a couple of years ago and high on the agenda was development of this facility. We struggled to base it upon those in charge of the finances to ensure that they make adequate appropriations of this particular facility. It has not been forthcoming but I am finally happy that its being considered one of the priorities.”
The Lord Mayor also stated that KCCA FC needed to have such a state of the art facility to call its home.
The project will cost Sh10bn, and ED Kisaka confirmed that Sh2.5bn is readily available for the start.
“We want to thank the central government for the funding, they will be releasing 2bn each year until the construction work is done,” Kisaka started.
“We are also going to solicit funds, and as KCCA we will be contributing Sh500m each year to ensure the smooth running of the construction as well. So there is Sh2.5bn for the start.
“We want this facility to help the youths so that they can come to be together. This is a good idea and I commend the previous governors.
“The whole project will cost Sh10bn. It may not take the whole five years because KCCA FC as the club and other sponsors have promised to contribute financially to the project as well.
“As KCCA, our work is now to ensure that the contractor (Sarjan) works in line with the set standards which we agreed upon.”
KCCA FC hosted their CAF Confederation Cup game against Rwanda’s AS Kigali at rival’s stadium – St Mary’s Stadium Kitende of Vipers – after MTN Omondi failed to meet CAF standards.
The Club recently confirmed that the MTN Omondi Stadium will remain active for games when the league returns next month, despite the ongoing construction work.
The first phase of the stadium construction that is expected to last for 18 months, will consist of a VIP wing, Club Restaurant, Gym, Hospitality Rooms, Club Offices, Media Tribunal and Dressing rooms.
