36 pieces of ironsheets stolen from Hoima stadium site recovered

Hoima, Uganda | Joint security agencies in Hoima have recovered 36 iron sheets stolen from the Hoima city stadium construction site.

The iron sheets, along with other construction materials, including iron bars, were stolen when thugs reportedly raided the construction site of the Hoima city stadium, situated in Kyarwiru cell in Hoima East Division last week.

The stolen materials were being used to fence off the construction site. M/S SUMMA, a Turkish Company contracted to construct the 20,000-seater Hoima multi-purpose stadium, reported the theft, paving the way for investigations into the matter.

Julius Hakiza, the Albertine Region Police Spokesperson, told Uganda Radio Network (URN) in an interview that after the case was reported, police and other sister security agencies conducted an intelligence-led operation that led to the recovery of the 36 iron sheets from Nyakambugu village in Buhanika sub-county in Hoima district.

According to Hakiza, the prime suspect in the theft of the construction materials, whose particulars have been concealed for fear of jeopardising investigations, evaded police arrest and remains at large.

However, he added that a search of the suspect’s home recovered the 36 iron sheets suspected to have been stolen from the Hoima City Stadium construction site.

Hakiza says security also recovered eight angle bars and empty jerrycans believed to have been used to siphon fuel, among other items, from the suspect’s home, stating that efforts are on to hunt for the suspect.

The government of Uganda signed a contract with M/S SUMMA, a Turkish Company, in June this year to construct a 20,000-seater Hoima multi-purpose stadium ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Hoima Stadium is among those that Uganda plans to host matches during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which it will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania.

According to the contract, the stadium will be constructed in 18 months and must be completed by December 2025.

The contractor has since started bush clearing, land surveys, recruitment of casual labourers, and soil testing, among other activities, at the stadium’s construction site.

URN