The construction of the first phase of KCCA FC’s new look MTN Omondi Stadium was officially flagged off on Thursday in Lugogo, with the first bend of the exercise set to take about 18 – 24 months.
The project that will be handled by Sarjan Construction was flagged off by club patron and Kampala Lord Mayor His Worship Erias Lukwago, who was flanked by Executive Director – KCCA (Kampala Capital City Authority): Dorothy Kisaka among other guests and club leaders.
The first phase of the construction will entail the building of a V.I.P wing section which will comprise of CAF offices, stands, changing rooms, media center and the like.
However, according to KCCA FC Chairman Martin Ssekajja, the construction works will not interrupt club/stadium operations at all levels including match days.
“During the construction of the first phase works, we shall continue with all our operations at the stadium,” Ssekajja said at the ground breaking ceremony.
“Since assuming office in 2019, we were tasked with implementing certain projects, that is; infrastructure development (stadium and the like), talent growth and galvanizing fans leadership among others,” Ssekajja added.
Club patron Lukwago is excited about this development and cannot wait to see the physical structure itself.
“I hope the stadium will be similar with the artistic impression we have got. I have the picture of the stadium in my head,” Lukwago noted at the ground breaking event urging the contractors to work according to schedule and deliver the stadium to the eagerly awaiting fans.
According to KCCA’s Kisaka, the project will be largely supported by government with a total of 10bn Shillings but 2bn will be released annually for five years.
However, according to KCCA FC CEO Anisha Shahir Muhoozi, the club will also be contributing towards the project to quicken the process.
The renovation of the stadium comes weeks after the team was barred from using the venue by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) for their Confederation Cup return leg fixture against AS Kigali of Rwanda.
The Caf inspection team toured the venue a week to the match and termed it unfit to host the game, with KCCA picking St Mary’s Kitende, which is the home of their arch rivals Vipers SC, to host the match.