Can I visit Namboole for a tour before Chan 2024 : Well, Well! Since the belated tournament has been postponed to August 2025, we think it’s possible to visit the stadium for a tour, however there are some factors to consider before visiting the stadium.
You should know the that the stadium is undergoing some upgrades and touch ups ahead of the African Nations Championships 2024 (CHAN), so the accessibility to the stadium may change depending on the process and Confederation of African (CAF) guidelines.
So, before you think of the tour, you need to contact the stadium management or your tour operator for the possibility and what the tour arrangements are like or should require. When you have this information, you can then plan to have the tour or not, again, depending on the information you have received.
If there is an opportunity tour the stadium, these are some things you should keep in mind.
- The tour will be guided by the stadium officials, so follow the guide at all time
- Keep time
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Respect the restrictions as stated, the stadium is undergoing upgrades for the tournament so, do go beyond where you are allowed to go.
- Don’t litter the place
- Among other things.
If the tour is not able to happen, other places to tour around Namboole stadium are:- Kabaka’s Palace, Ndere Cultural Centre and the local communities in that part of Kampala. Other places along that road if you are into the exploratory mood, think of Mabira Forest, Jinija city, source of the Nile, Ssezibwa falls, Sipi falls, Mt Elgon, Nyero rocks and many more.
The Mandela National Stadium, commonly known as Namboole Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in Kampala, Uganda. The stadium is named after Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa. It is situated in the Namboole suburb of Kampala, about 5 kilometers southeast of the city center. The stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 45,202 spectators. Mandela National stadium was built in 1997 with the help of Chinese engineers and funding. It underwent renovations in 2010 to improve its facilities and capacity. The stadium was closed around 2019 to go through an upgrade and was reopened in 2024 after the renovations were about 80-90% complete Hence the reason its still has some works going on.
The stadium has a natural grass playing surface, a standard 400-meter athletics track and is equipped with floodlights, allowing for evening matches and events. It has VIP suites and lounges for dignitaries and corporate sponsors.
Mandela National Stadium is the home of the Uganda national football team and hosts various domestic and international football matches since the reopening in 2024. The latest tournament to be held in the stadium is the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.
Before 2024 Mandela National Stadium would host various concerts, festivals, religious and cultural events. But since the reopening none such event has happened at the stadium.
Namboole Stadium is one of the host venues for the belated 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) that was originally slated for February 2025 but was postponed to August 2025.
