Acholi Quarters playground gets a facelift courtesy of UEFA funding

Michael Nsubuga
Sports journalist @New Vision
Aug 17, 2021

The next edition of the Slum Soccer tournament at the Acholi Quarters playground will be played on a lush green surface after the completion of the second phase of the refurbishment works currently going on at the facility.

The ground in Kireka-Banda slums is being given a major lift from the dangerously uneven rocky, muddy and dusty playing surface to an acceptable plateau-like all-weather fully grass-grown multi-purpose sports pitch, thanks to the UEFA Foundation for Children through its Sports for Resilience and Empowerment Project (SREP through the Aliguma Foundation.

The community joins in on the planting of grass at the playground. Courtesy Photo

The community joins in on the planting of grass at the playground. Courtesy Photo

In November last year, the foundation was selected to benefit from the allocation of the 2020/21 budget of sh21b to 16 new projects or an extension of existing projects, in line with its mission to protect children’s fundamental rights in health and protection, children with disabilities, education and personal development, access to sport, integration of minorities and protection for victims of conflicts.

The project that targets girls, boys, women and other caregivers (including refugees and those with disabilities) living in Acholi Quarters gave another cheer to the community with the whole playing surface area re-levelled with powerful machinery including excavators and graders.

Former USPA president Sabiiti Muwanga (left) and Rita Aliguma pose at the Acholi Quarters playground foundation stone. Courtesy Photo

Former USPA president Sabiiti Muwanga (left) and Rita Aliguma pose at the Acholi Quarters playground foundation stone. Courtesy Photo

“I’m excited to see the development that is coming up in the Acholi quarters, the time we started the pitch was very soggy and unplayable. The drainage system has been worked on and the community has been involved in the planting of grass on the pitch and with the current rains, we shall soon see a better ground,” Aliguma said.

“They only have to keep watering when it doesn’t rain which should make the ground playable in about two months. We hope to hand over the pitch in September,” she added.

Former USPA president Sabiiti Muwanga (left) and Rita Aliguma pose at the Acholi Quarters playground foundation stone. Courtesy Photo

Former USPA president Sabiiti Muwanga (left) and Rita Aliguma pose at the Acholi Quarters playground foundation stone. Courtesy Photo

Former USPA president Sabiiti Muwanga noted that the ground will be a hub of many talents across different sports disciplines.

Acholi Quarters youth leader Brian Onen was equally delighted by the progress of the project that means much more than anything to their daily lives.

“This is our home. This is something we have not seen before. We are overly excited. We are going to make sure that the grass comes out well,” stated Onen.

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