Mrs. Janet Museveni hands over an 18.455-hectare land title for the stadium’s construction to Ambrose Tashobya, Chairperson of the NCS as other officials look on
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Government of Uganda has signed a contract with an Egyptian firm, SAMCO National Construction Company, to build a 20,000-seat Akii Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City.
The stadium project will cost $129m and is scheduled for completion within 20 months.
The contract signing ceremony took place at State House Nakasero on Friday, December 6, 2024, as was hosted by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs. Janet Museveni.
Muhammad Bbaale, the Accounting Officer of the National Council of Sports (NCS), signed on behalf of the Government of Uganda and NCS, while Engineer Ibrahim Abdelaziz Mahmoud Mabrouk signed for SAMCO National Construction Company. Solicitor General Pius Biribonwoha witnessed the signing.
During the ceremony, Mrs. Museveni handed over an 18.455-hectare land title for the stadium’s construction to Ambrose Tashobya, the NCS Chairperson.
Peter Ogwang, State Minister for Sports, described the planned Akii Bua Stadium as a state-of-the-art facility in Lira City.
“The complex will feature a 20,000-seat main stadium with an athletic track, training facilities with at least two changing rooms, a 2,000-seat multi-sport indoor stadium,” he said.
The artistic impression of the Akii Bua Stadium
He added that it will also include a 25-meter semi-Olympic swimming pool, outdoor courts for basketball, netball, volleyball, and badminton, and a 1,000-vehicle parking facility.
The site will additionally include comprehensive infrastructure: roads, utilities, ICT systems, a sewerage treatment plant, landscaping, perimeter fencing, and security systems.
Other facilities will include a fully furnished clubhouse for stadium operations, a 60-room hostel, five sports pitches, and a borehole to reduce water maintenance costs.
Ogwang acknowledged that while President Museveni’s 2010 pledge to build the stadium for the people of Lango took time to materialize, it represents one of the NRM Government’s most significant achievements.
“To the people of Lango, I know you have been very impatient about this, but today the stadium is a reality, and we want full votes for NRM,” Ogwang said.
Officials view the layout of the Akii Bua Stadium
He expressed gratitude to Lira City and District’s local leadership for their support and urged the contractors to begin work promptly while adhering to the project timeline.
In attendance was Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, Minister of Health and Woman MP Lira City; Hon. Betty Amongi, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development and MP Oyam South; Deputy Attorney General Hon. Kafuuzi Jackson; and the Education Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda
Others included John Bosco Suuza, the Director Legal Advisory Services from the Attorney General’s Office, Ahmed Abdelgalil Abdelhadi, SAMCO National Construction’s Country Manager, and representatives from NCS, FUFA, the Ministry of Education and Sports, PPDA.
