Mbarara City FC have officially been uprooted from their iconic Kakyeka Stadium for the remainder of the Uganda Premier League’s first round, with the League Secretariat confirming Rwamwanja Stadium in Kamwenge as their new temporary base.
The Ankole Lions had banked on returning swiftly to their long-standing fortress, but that hope evaporated after a November 1 debacle in which they were compelled to host NEC FC away from home, a game they went on to lose 1–0. Kakyeka, on that same day, was the scene of a mammoth Ray G concert that pulled thousands, leaving the facility worse for wear.
The aftermath was far from cosmetic. The pitch suffered heavy damage, the surroundings were churned up, and the stadium infrastructure was left needing more than a quick touch-up. Initial optimism of a prompt return quickly faded as assessments revealed that Kakyeka would require several weeks of rehabilitation before being deemed fit for competitive football.
As things stand, the club is projecting a comeback to Kakyeka once the second round kicks off, giving groundsmen and city authorities a narrow but critical window to restore the arena to acceptable league standards.
Before the forced migration, Mbarara City had managed only two home fixtures at Kakyeka, a narrow 1–0 defeat to UPDF and a 1–1 share of the spoils with BUL FC. Now, the side faces a 160km detour for each of their remaining first-round home assignments.
Our Confirmed Match Venue
🆚 NEC FC
⌚ 4PM
📆 Saturday, 01 – Nov – 2025
📍Rwamwanja Stadium. pic.twitter.com/Ty73LOE7zP— Mbarara City FC Official (@TeamMbararaCity) October 28, 2025
What awaits Mbarara City at their temporary home in Rwamwanja:
Friday, November 28
KCCA FC
Wednesday, December 3
Entebbe UPPC
Wednesday, December 17
URA FC
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Lugazi FC
With the first round now set to conclude far from their traditional backyard, the Ankole Lions must quickly adapt to their adopted home, and hope that the second round ushers them back to a fully restored Kakyeka.
