Members of the Lango Parliamentary Group have welcomed the progress of works at the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City but warned that critical infrastructure around the facility must be urgently addressed ahead of Uganda’s hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The legislators inspected the stadium on Monday to assess the progress of the project, which is now about 75 per cent complete. The inspection was led by the Chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group and Oyam County South Member of Parliament, Patrick Ogwang Obura.
Ogwang commended the government and contractor, SAMCO National Construction Company, for the progress made, saying the stadium was taking shape.
However, he said the inspection had also exposed infrastructure gaps that could affect the completion, accessibility and effective use of the stadium if they are not addressed in time. Among the major concerns is the 18.7-kilometre access road to the stadium, which Ogwang said had not been adequately catered for alongside other supporting infrastructure.
He also pointed to roads linking Lira City to the stadium, including routes from Gulu through Bobi and other areas, as well as roads connecting the facility to training venues. Ogwang said the parliamentary group would use its oversight role to engage the relevant ministries and push for the identified gaps to be addressed.
He said preparations for AFCON should go beyond the construction of the stadium itself, arguing that supporting facilities such as roads, hospitals, health centres, hotels, city lighting and other urban infrastructure would be critical to hosting the continental tournament.
“We go back with the good news that government is doing wonders in Lango sub-region. We also go back with the challenges, especially to the Minister of Works, that there are critical infrastructure issues. For example, access roads that must be addressed,” Ogwang said.
Eng. Mohammed Nazih, the Project Manager of SAMCO National Construction Company, said the stadium project is currently about 75 per cent complete and remains on course for completion within the contractual period.
The project has a 20-month implementation period and is contractually scheduled for completion in January 2027. However, Nazih said the contractor is working to achieve 80 per cent completion by the end of August and finish the entire project by the end of 2026, ahead of schedule.
Nazih said most of the major structural works had been completed, with the contractor now concentrating on finishing works, landscaping and other components of the facility.
Artificial grass is currently being installed on the training pitch without a running track, as well as on other pitches. Most of the stadium seats have also been installed, with only the VIP section remaining.
Work has also advanced in Zone Two, which comprises the clubhouse, swimming pool, training pitch, multi-purpose court, tennis court and mini arena. The contractor has also started road works within the stadium complex as part of its contractual scope.
However, Nazih stressed that the stadium alone would not be enough to support the successful hosting of AFCON, calling for complementary investment in transport, health, accommodation, commercial facilities and the airport.
On the roads linking the stadium to the wider city, Nazih said the contractor was waiting for communication from the National Council of Sports before proceeding with any additional works outside its scope.
Lira City Mayor Sam Atul, however, argued that the main access roads to the stadium should have been incorporated into the project from the outset.
Uganda is preparing to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with Kenya and Tanzania, making the readiness of host cities and their supporting infrastructure a key part of the preparations. Lira is among the cities expected to benefit from investment in sports infrastructure, with the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium serving as the centrepiece of the city’s preparations.
The Lango Parliamentary Group said it would continue monitoring the stadium project and engaging the government on outstanding infrastructure needs as Uganda steps up preparations for the continental tournament-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
