Kampala, Uganda – As part of an ongoing drive to expand cricket infrastructure nationwide, a Cricket Uganda delegation led by Acting Chief Executive Officer Evelyn K.B. Shinyekwa and Operations Manager Joshua Mwanja conducted an inspection and stakeholder tour on September 22, 2026, visiting GM Sugar and Jinja SSS.
The visits aimed to assess the physical progress of ongoing facility developments, strengthen grassroots partnerships, and establish clear operational frameworks for upcoming matches.
GM Sugar: A world-class facility taking shape
The inspection at GM Sugar revealed remarkable progress on the ground’s development.
The facility boasts five immaculate grass wickets and two concrete wickets backed by a completed, highly efficient drainage system.
The outfield stands at roughly 80% completion, with minor turf patching ongoing to ensure complete green coverage.
Highlighting the site’s modern amenities, the newly built pavilion features state-of-the-art dressing rooms, dedicated umpires’ quarters, and a rooftop viewing tier tailored for VIP guests.
Sharing his assessment of the venue’s exceptional standards, Operations Manager Joshua Mwanja stated:
“The facility is truly impressive. They have constructed brilliant practice nets and completed three top-quality grass wickets alongside two concrete pitches – all maintained in a remarkably high state of readiness. The ground has a fast outfield and a good location slightly raised that allows an aerial view.”
Discussions with the GM Sugar management yielded positive agreements regarding daily-use terms, tournament scheduling, and the provision of training mats to support the venue’s expanding capacity.
Jinja SSS: Strengthening Institutional ties
Moving to Jinja SSS – a powerhouse of school cricket development – the delegation met with key institutional leaders, including JACC Chairman Nandi Kishore, school Head Teacher Mr. Balimusangayo Isaac, Deputy Head Teachers Mr. Ongom William Olara, Chairman of the Board of Governors for Jinja Senior Secondary School (Jinja SSS) Owek. Dr. Joseph Muvawala and winning School Cricket Week coach Habib Mugalula.
The delegation reviewed ongoing ground improvement projects and mapped out strategic steps to align the school’s facilities with national standards.
To honour their continued commitment to the sport, appreciation tokens, including branded Cricket Uganda T-shirts, were presented to the school’s executive leadership.
Speaking on the visits, Cricket Uganda leadership emphasised that sustained infrastructure investment and grassroots collaboration remain vital pillars in broadening the game’s footprint and providing competitive spaces for both budding talents and elite athletes.
Reflecting on the vision behind these strategic visits, Acting CEO Evelyn K.B. Shinyekwa noted:
“Expanding our footprint requires deliberate, hands-on partnerships and top-tier infrastructure. Seeing the remarkable progress at GM Sugar and the unwavering dedication from our partners at Jinja SS reaffirms that the future of Ugandan cricket is brighter than ever. We are committed to building spaces where both grassroots talents and elite athletes can truly thrive.”
