Museveni to preside over All Africa University Games

The President of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri K. Museveni, has been confirmed to preside over the opening ceremony of the 5th edition of All Africa University Games, which are going to be hosted by Makerere University due, July 7th to 16th, this year.
Ms. Peninna Kabenge, Makerere University sports tutor, revealed this while speaking to the Ivory Post sports Journalist in her office at Makerere University. “The president has confirmed that he will preside over the ceremony,” she said.
Renovations underway at Makerere main ground in preparation for All Africa Univeristy Games. Photo/Peter Mutebi
However, the government has not yet fulfilled the pledges it promised in organizing this event. “The government promised to give us assistance both financially and materially but it has not fulfilled its promise,” Kabenge said.
The government, through the State Minister for Sports, Hon. Charles Bakabulindi, promised to provide some assistance in terms of money, equipments and minimal tariffs for the imported materials to be used in preparations.
However, the Chinese University Sports Federation has boosted All Africa University Games.
The Chinese based University offered sports equipments amounting to millions of Ugandan shillings. These included 200 tracksuits, 200 cover boots, 150 balls, 50 basketballs and many other types of sports of equipments.
This came after organizers of the event launched a campaign of seeking assistance from different concerned parties including companies and universities.
“ We have embarked on a campaign of mobilizing funds. We have written to friends, well wishers and companies to come and help us,” she added.
Hima cement, a local company has also contributed more than 50 bags of cement to help in facility development. They hired professional landscapers to work on Nsibirwa grounds to make sure that they are ready before July.
Despite being in financial crisis, Makerere University administration has given the organizers enough support to see that the event become successful.
“They are trying to do what they can, though there is financial crisis,” she said.
The University is planning to renovate halls in June when students are out of the University.
“ It is very had to renovate hall facilities when students are still there, but I know we are still in time schedule and we will make sure that those facilities are ready in time,” Pennina confirmed.
“Two months are more than enough, we are going to maximize our time to put a good impression of our University,” she added.
Most venues are under construction including Tennis courts constructed by Eng. Ssewamala and terraces by Eng. Dr. Musaazi.
The team to represent Uganda is yet to converge; team members are still training separately from their respective Universities. However, they will get a chance to train as a team before final games, “ they are not together as a team but they are training in different respective places” Pennina said. Twenty four countries so far have confirmed to participate in this 5th edition.
“We are trying to convince other countries to join the twenty five who have confirmed to participate in all African University Games,” she said. Countries, which have confirmed include Ghana, Algeria, Nigeria, Senegal, Mozambique, Angola, the defending champions S. Africa with over 250 sportsmen among others. The all Africa University games were first held in 1974 in Accra, Ghana, and then in Nairobi Kenya in 1978. This was followed by a lull due to economic and political problems. The 3rd edition was held in 2004 in Bauchi, Nigeria while the 4th was in 2006 in the city of Tswane, South Africa.Uganda was granted a chance to host the 5th edition of the All Africa Games 2008 after putting up a spectacular performance in 2006 when they emerged second to the hosts South Africa in 2006.