New Sports Minister Obua underlines need for investment

Powering In A New Era. Minister Obua enjoys a hit out at Lugogo on Tuesday. PHOTO: ISMAIL KEZAALA

The State Minister for Sports Hamson Denis Obua has noted that the subsector has ‘a high need for investment’ to match the nation’s demands.
Addressing a media briefing on his first visit to the National Council of Sports (NCS) offices in Lugogo, Obua said; “From what I have seen, there is a high need for investment. I have been informed by the board that they have an investment plan to upgrade or overhaul the sports facilities here.”
“But, this is not all that we can do. Namboole, too, is not in the best shape and we need to look at Nakivubo and other regional stadia.”
He toured the entire Lugogo Sports Complex, accompanied by NCS chairman Bosco Onyik, board members, General Secretary Dr Benard Patrick Ogwel and top management.
In 2017, NCS said they had secured Public Private Partnerships worth $16m (about Shs58trilion) to modernise its headquarters.
At the time, Ice Home of Canada and Wadi Degla Holdings from Egypt were cited as partners with plans to break down its dilapidated MTN Arena. Recently, the flooding and overflow of sewerage into the cricket oval has been a spot of bother as well as the deteriorating state of the hockey, tennis and hostel facilities.
Obua, 39, was appointed state minister on December 14, 2019, ending the 14-year reign of Hon. Charles Bakkabulindi. Earlier, Obua met board and staff of NCS in a bid to share and understand the tasks they undertake in delivering on the mandate of council. Neat and clear, Obua routinely quoted and regurgitated the famous words of America’s 35th president John F. Kennedy of “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
This was directed towards the 50 national sports associations who often demand funding from government.“Yes, it’s true govern ment will support you but what the NRM government has done is to create a conducive environment for investment so that the private sector that chose Uganda over places like Somalia can invest here,” said Obua.