Sports 23 October 2026 Parliament of Uganda
Minister Ogwang Denies Kitara FC Hoima Stadium Access, Orders Probe Into Shs90M Payments
State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang has turned down Kitara FC's request to regularly use Hoima City Stadium to protect the pitch for AFCON 2027, while also launching a probe into Shs90 million allegedly paid by the club. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4683/minister-ogwang-rejects-kitara-fcs-request-use-hoima-city-stadium
The Minister of State for Education and Sports, Peter Ogwang, has officially turned down a request by Hoima West MP Ismail Kasule to permit Kitara FC to host regular domestic league matches at the newly constructed Hoima City Stadium.
During Prime Minister’s Time in Parliament, MP Kasule appealed for temporary access to the facility, arguing that the club’s current home ground is unsustainable for competitive fixtures. Kasule also tabled payment receipts totaling Shs90 million, which he claimed the club had previously paid to the National Council of Sports (NCS) for using the stadium.
In his response, Minister Ogwang acknowledged Kitara FC’s commendable representation of Uganda in continental football, but firmly defended the restriction. According to Ogwang, professional advice dictates that the stadium’s hybrid pitch is only designed to host matches once a week and cannot withstand the strain of multiple weekly games. Furthermore, the government is strictly preserving the facility to meet high standards ahead of co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Kenya and Tanzania.
While he ruled out granting the club regular access, Ogwang noted that authorities would review stadium requests on a case-by-case basis. He also mentioned that the government intends to hire an international management firm to oversee operations and revenue generation at the venue following the conclusion of AFCON 2027.
Addressing the financial aspect raised by the legislator, Ogwang expressed surprise at the Shs90 million payment receipts tabled in Parliament. He questioned who authorized the club’s use of the facility and determined the pricing, noting that the NCS board had not greenlit the arrangements. The minister pledged to launch an immediate investigation to find out who approved the payments and whether the funds were properly remitted to the government.
More details can be found in the original report on the Parliament of Uganda.