Mandela National Stadium, often referred to as Namboole Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Kampala, Uganda. The stadium is situated on Namboole Hill in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District.
Aerial view of Mandela National Stadium
Construction and Origins
The stadium was built with a grant of US$36 million from the People's Republic of China (PRC). This was part of China's diplomatic efforts in Africa. Originally known as Namboole Stadium, it derived its name from the hill on which it was built.
It was later renamed Mandela National Stadium, in honor of former South African president, Nelson Mandela. Locals however still call it Namboole Stadium. The stadium was opened in 1997 with a concert by Lucky Dube, a reggae artist from South Africa.
Capacity and Usage
Mandela National Stadium is mainly used for football matches, although other sports such as athletics are also practiced.
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The stadium had a capacity of 45,202 in 2016 before renovation. After renovation in May 2024 which involved putting permanent seats, the capacity decreased to 45,000.
Capacity officially stands at 45,202 viewers, but because of most room being standing terraces, larger crowds are reported at times.
Renovations and Closures
The Mandela National Stadium was closed for renovation in 2019 after the outbreak of COVID-19 after it failed to reach the minimum standards required by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host international matches. In 2020, the stadium was blacklisted from hosting football games due to its substandard condition.
Reconstruction works, undertaken by the UPDF Engineering Brigade, began in 2022, and included the installation of permanent seats in the stadium, new dressing rooms, a modern scoreboard, as well as the refurbishment of floodlights and the pitch. The renovation of between 2019 and 2024 cost 97 billion Uganda Shillings.
After its renovation, the Federation Of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) organized test matches from the Uganda premier League to serve as test events of the stadium before the official opening. The games were played on 1 May 2024 where BUL FC hosted Vipers SC, and KCCA FC hosted SC Villa which served as a requirement for the Confederation Of African Football (CAF) to grant the stadium permission to host International Games.
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In September 2025, the stadium was closed down for renovations after hosting the 2024 African Nations Championship. The ongoing improvements include the expansion of the seating capacity to 60,000. Other improvements include an Olympic-sized swimming pool, an indoor multi-purpose arena, and a fully covered roof, among other facilities. The EPC contractor for these renovations is Summa Construction Company based in Turkey, who constructed Hoima National Stadium.
Proposed Renovation and Upgrade of Mandela National Stadium - Namboole Video 1 of 3
Ownership
The Mandela National Stadium Limited is a Public liability company incorporated under the laws of Uganda with two shareholders:
- The Ministry of Education and Sports
- The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development
Key Dates
Here's a table summarizing key events in the history of Mandela National Stadium:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1997 | Stadium opened with a concert by Lucky Dube |
| 2019 | Stadium closed for renovation |
| 2020 | Stadium blacklisted from hosting football matches |
| 2022 | Reconstruction works began |
| May 1, 2024 | Test matches of the Uganda premier League organized |
| September 2025 | Stadium closed down for renovations after hosting the 2024 African Nations Championship |
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