Lugogo Sports Complex to Get Sh266b Boost in NCS Budget

The Lugogo Sports Complex is set to undergo a major transformation, taking the largest share of the National Council of Sports (NCS) sh266 billion capital development fund for the 2027-28 financial year. The announcement was made by NCS General Secretary Patrick Ogwel during the budget conference held last week at Lugogo.

A Vision for World-Class Facilities

The redevelopment project aims to elevate the existing facilities to international standards while maximizing economic benefits through increased revenue, job creation, and investment. Located in the upscale Kololo neighborhood, the complex is expected to boost non-tax revenue from sh10 billion to approximately sh80 billion annually.

Ogwel emphasized that Lugogo remains the historic and central operational hub for indoor national sports disciplines, necessitating persistent phased funding. The resource allocation will focus on critical infrastructural upgrades, preliminary architectural reviews, and modernization layouts to preserve asset value and enhance commercial sustainability.

Plans for a State-of-the-Art Complex

The redevelopment will include a new 15,000-seat indoor stadium, a four-star hotel with 60 rooms, a five-storey utility block, and parking facilities for 1,000 vehicles. Additionally, the complex will feature a gymnasium with capacity for approximately 1,500 athletes, a dedicated area for national teams training, a swimming pool, a hostel with 120 rooms for athletes, and a hockey pitch.

"We are planning significant developments at this site. We intend to establish a Global Sports Conference in the new indoor stadium," Ogwel said. "The planning phase is complete, and we are now awaiting the project's conclusion."

Other Key Priorities

Beyond Lugogo, the NCS budget prioritizes the 'retooling project,' which addresses urgent technological and administrative infrastructure needs within the council. This includes procuring essential ICT hardware, planning software, and specialized sports regulatory equipment to track performance metrics and improve institutional reporting.

Maintaining AFCON 2027 stadia and training facilities is also a top priority. "With Uganda co-hosting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027, maintaining world-class infrastructural baselines is a matter of strict national compliance and pride," Ogwel noted. Resources will fund preventive facility management, pitch engineering upkeep, and security systems across designated training grounds and new stadiums to ensure optimal readiness.

Achievements and Challenges

Ogwel highlighted NCS achievements in 2026-27, including registering and monitoring over 50 active national sports associations and federations, and supporting national team engagements and international qualification pathways. The council also monitored major infrastructural milestones, such as the Phase II upgrades of Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) to 45,000 capacity, Hoima City Stadium works, and designated training facilities at Kyambogo, Wankulukuku, and Makerere.

However, Ogwel acknowledged key challenges, including underfunding, inadequate infrastructure, weak commercialization, and internal wage ceilings that are out of step with the expanding technical and regulatory footprint under the National Sports Act 2023. He also cited escalating costs for international team travel, foreign-based player allowances, and specialized training camps.

"Severe budget shortfalls constrain international team travel, allowance disbursements, and grassroots talent pipelines, while there is limited modern, multi-disciplinary indoor and outdoor training facilities across local governments," Ogwel stated. "There is also low private-sector integration and monetization of sports leagues, limiting self-sustainability for federations."

Non-Wage Recurrent Allocation

Under the non-wage recurrent allocation of sh126 billion, the operationalization of Teryet National High Altitude Training Centre remains a top priority. "Translating Teryet into a fully active, high-yield elite training site requires dedicated funding for utility frameworks, elite athlete hospitality operations, track maintenance, and technical staff mobilization to tap into high-altitude conditioning advantages," Ogwel said.

Activating the National Anti-Doping Organisation of Uganda (NADO-U) is also an uncompromisable mandate under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) compliance code. Funding will ensure systemic drug testing, intelligence gathering, athlete education, and legal protection systems to safeguard Uganda from international sports bans.

Support to National Sports Federations and Associations will be based on regulatory performance benchmarks to assist sports governance, league sustainability, and grassroots tournaments. Earmarked funds will cushion the extensive operational overheads incurred by representative Ugandan clubs and national contingents qualifying for continental and intercontinental championships.

Call for Collaboration

Ogwel told stakeholders that sport is a high-multiplier economic sector and a pillar of soft power; predictable funding yields high GDP returns and boosts youth engagement. He called on federations and associations to ensure compliance, transparency, and grassroots footprint as non-negotiable prerequisites for public funding. He also urged the private sector and development partners to partner with NCS to commercialize leagues, adopt teams, and build sustainable sports infrastructure.