CHIMP SPORT: Akii-Bua Stadium Works Hit 80% as Gov’t Targets Early Completion

LIRA CITY — Construction of the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City has reached about 80 percent, with the Government saying the project could be completed before its January 2027 contractual deadline.

State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang made the disclosure on Monday after inspecting the stadium and the adjacent university training pitch, where he assessed progress on the facilities being prepared ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ogwang said contractor SAMCO National Construction Company had made substantial progress on the main project and was now undertaking finishing works.

“The contract we signed is that the stadium could be handed over on 2nd of January, but like you must have seen today during our inspection, the contractor is ahead of schedule,” Ogwang said.

The 20,000-capacity sports complex is being developed with a range of facilities, including an athletics track, a 2,000-seater indoor arena, a 25-metre semi-Olympic swimming pool, clubhouse, 60-room hostel, guest wing and tennis courts.

The complex will also have basketball, netball and volleyball courts, alongside five training pitches.

Ogwang said most of the facilities were progressing according to plan.

“The arena is on course, the swimming pool is on course, the clubhouse is on course, the hostel and the guest wing is on course, the tennis courts are on course,” he said.

However, he acknowledged that the university training pitch had experienced some delays.

The minister said the Government was working with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to ensure the facilities comply with the standards required for the 2027 tournament.

“I want to confirm we are working closely with CAF. The Confederation of African Football has even visited this training pitch and the main stadium. We are working towards ensuring that these facilities are ready for AFCON 2027,” Ogwang said.

Uganda will co-host AFCON 2027 with Kenya and Tanzania, with Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium designated as a backup venue for training and hosting activities.

Ogwang also called for increased private-sector investment in Lira City, particularly in the hospitality sector, to address accommodation requirements ahead of the continental tournament.

He urged investors to consider establishing four- and five-star hotels in the city to meet CAF standards.

On concerns over the condition of access roads to the stadium and whether this could affect Uganda’s preparations for AFCON 2027, Ogwang said the matter fell outside his ministry’s mandate, although he acknowledged concerns raised by local leaders.

National Council of Sports General Secretary Dr Bernard Patrick Ogwel said funding for the training facilities had been fully released, allowing construction works to continue.

He also commended the Government for investing in sports infrastructure beyond Kampala.

Ogwang was accompanied by Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Sam Engola, Ogwel, the Lira City Resident City Commissioner, Lira District Local Council V chairperson and other local leaders.