David GOMBE
Today, 1st April 2026 marks exactly 100 years since Nakivubo Stadium (currently Hamz Stadium) was officially opened.
The venue hosted national football teams since its inception with the maiden game played on 1st April 1926.
The game between Uganda Senior Men’s National Team and the Uganda U-18 National Team on 1st April, 1926 was the first match to be played at the Stadium.
The stadium is located at the land that was donated by Kabaka Daudi Cwa II of Buganda.
Why was Nakivubo named War Memorial Stadium
The stadium was in 1954 renamed Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium to honor Ugandan soldiers who lost their lives during World War II. The renaming followed legislative action under the Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium Trust Act passed by the Parliament of Uganda.
However, by the 21st century, the stadium was in a dilapidated state and needed refurbishing. In 2015, businessman Hamis Kiggundu signed a Public-Private partnership with the Government of Uganda to renovate the facility.
The government of Uganda handed the stadium to businessman Hamis Kiggundu for renovations in 2015 since it was in a horrible state.
Following extensive renovations led by businessman Ham in partnership with the Ugandan government, the stadium was upgraded to meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) requirements.
The facility has hosted CAF U17, CHAN 2024 qualification matches as well as CAF Confederation Cup matches are some of the international fixtures hosted at the renovated stadium.
It hosted its first ever Buganda Masaza Cup final since its refurbishment last year with Buweekula facing off with Ssingo. Nakivubo also hosts University Football League matches.
Nakivubo is currently the home ground for Uganda premier league clubs URA FC and Express FC while Uganda’s most successful football club SC Villa also previously used the venue. The stadium was commissioned by President Museveni on 25 April 2024. The refurbished stadium was officially opened on June 1st, 2024 and has a total seating capacity of 35000 people.
