A bitter row has broken out between some NRM leaders and Kiboga district authorities over the redevelopment of Kiboga Sazza play ground into a stadium. Three months ago, the district embarked on the redevelopment of Kiboga Sazza play ground into a stadium over the next five years at the cost of 100 million. The redevelopment plan includes grading and leveling the pitch, construction of a perimeter wall, main gate, toilets and pavilion. The district has already integrated the project in it's five year development plan. This financial year, Kiboga district council committed 2 million shillings on the stadium project.
The district also sent out a request to private individuals and organization to support the construction project, which attracted the attention of Male Kiwalabye, the executive director Buganda Land Board. Male contributed 10 million shillings towards the stadium construction drawing protests from NRM leaders and supporters. The group led by Flavia Nagawa, the Kibiga Sub county councilor and Agnes Namboyera, a member of Kiboga District Public Accounts Committee petitioned President Yoweri Museveni to intervene and stop Male from funding the project.
Namboyera says that they wrote to Museveni after discovering a plan by Democratic Party and some Buganda Kingdom officials to uproot NRM from Kiboga district through such developmental projects, adding that Male is a DP diehard. In his response, Museveni has directed James Mukiibi Serunjogi, the outgoing Kiboga Resident District Commissioner to monitor all the activities in the district including the stadium project. Male Kiwalabye denies claims that he is being used by the opposition to dislodge the ruling party from Kiboga district.
Kiwalabye has threatened to withdraw from the project because of sabotage by the NRM officials and their supporters. Israel Yiga, Kiboga district LC V chairman blames the entire confusion on some members of his NRM party and Moses Luutu, the Kiboga DP chairman for politicizing the project. He explains that all they want is to complete the project, adding that any person is free to contribute. Moses Luutu, the Kiboga DP chairman on the other hand blames the chairperson for being used by people with vested interests to kill off the projects on political grounds.
The bickering between the officials has caused concern amongst members of the sports fraternity. Samuel Mpiima, the Kiboga District Football Association chairperson says that all they want is the refurbishment of the play ground irrespective of who is doing it. Omulangira Suna, a sports fan says that they will hold the district leadership accountable if the stadium project is not finalized by 2016.
