Kira Road Police Stadium to open with AIGP Cup final

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The Uganda Police Force will officially unveil the newly constructed Kira Road Police Stadium on September 19, 2025, with the grand finale of the second edition of the AIGP Cup.

The facility, located next to Kira Road Police Station at the grounds previously known as the Kamwokya (Kataka) football pitch, has been upgraded into a modern sports stadium. It will host Police FC home matches and is also expected to benefit local communities and schools.

The AIGP Cup final will serve as the first major event at the stadium, marking both the climax of the tournament and the official opening of the venue.

Uganda Police Force launched the quarterfinal stage of the tournament on Monday, September 1, during a press briefing at Police Headquarters in Naguru. The announcement was made by AIGP Dr Hadija Namutebi, the director for welfare, production and sports.

She explained that the competition, which started in November last year, had now reached the knockout stage. The quarterfinals will begin on 16 September at Wakisha Stadium in Wakiso District, with the semi-finals also held there before the final is played at the new Kira Road facility.

Dr Namutebi said the AIGP Cup was initiated to promote fitness, discipline, morale and cohesion within the Force. To organise the competition, the Police Force was divided into eight policing zones, each of which held internal games to select its best teams in football and netball. These now form the quarterfinal line-up.

“The work we do is not only mentally and emotionally demanding—it’s physically taxing as well,” said Dr Namutebi.

“We must ensure our officers are fit to serve the public effectively. This tournament also allows us to identify and nurture talent across the Force.”

She said that police officers represent Uganda in several national sporting disciplines, including athletics, volleyball, netball and football, and that internal talent development is therefore a strategic priority.

Beyond fitness, Dr Namutebi highlighted the importance of the tournament in building unity within the Force, where officers are often deployed in different regions with little time to interact outside professional duties.

She said sports offered space to strengthen internal bonds and institutional cohesion.

The tournament is also seen as a tool to enhance police–community relations.

Dr Namutebi noted that while only police officers play in the games, members of the public regularly attend and cheer on their local teams.

“Sports is not just entertainment—it is a powerful unifier and a tool for crime prevention,” she said.

“When youth engage in sports, they gain discipline, develop skills, and find positive economic opportunities. This contributes to safer communities.”

She encouraged the media and the wider public to support the tournament.

“Let’s celebrate sports as a force for good—within the Uganda Police Force and the communities we serve,” she said.

The guest of honour at the quarterfinal draw was Aisha Nalule, the FUFA competitions director, who praised the Police Force for its growing role in football development and community engagement through the AIGP Cup.

“I take this opportunity to thank the Uganda Police for the great contribution they are making to the game of football,” she said.

“You now have new infrastructure where you will be hosting your games—this is a big step forward.”

She observed that police teams are active in the Uganda Premier League and said this strengthens both the game and public trust in the Force.

“This brings the Force closer to the communities they serve. Law enforcers playing football with public support is a powerful way of building trust,” she added.

Nalule also reminded participants of FUFA’s values of compliance, fair play and transparency, urging them to uphold these standards throughout the tournament.

“Fair play is very important,” she said.

“Transparency is the reason we’re here—and that’s why you saw transparent bowls used during the draw.”

She further stressed the importance of discipline, noting that only the team captain is allowed to address referees.

“Not every player should confront a referee,” she said.

“If the captain is a goalkeeper, they must delegate that responsibility.”

Quarterfinal fixtures

Football

Wandegeya Police FC vs Field Force Unit (FFU) Police FC

Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) Police vs Ntungamo Police FC

Omoro Police vs Police Training School Kabalye

Mbale City Police vs ICT Police

Netball

Kira Division NC vs Iganga Police NC

Mitooma NC vs Lira City Police NC

Police Training School Kabalye NC vs Mbale City NC

ICT Police NC vs Omoro Police NC

Nalule appealed to the public to rally behind the initiative, citing the wider social impact of sports.

“Sports is a unifier and a strategy for crime prevention,” she said. “If more young people engage in such positive activities, we reduce the risk of them turning to crime.”

Now in its second edition, the AIGP Cup continues to grow as both a wellness initiative for police officers and a platform for community building and trust between the Force and the public.