The Minister of State for Education & Sports, Hon Peter Ogwang, has said that plans to construct Akii-Bua Stadium in Lira City have been finalised.
This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Joint Venture of Khator Sports and SAMCO to construct the stadium in less than 20 months.
“The Contractor will finance and build the Stadium through a pre-finance basis,” said Ogwang.
He added: “This sports infrastructure is a critical project in our preparations to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and therefore, it will be fast-tracked for its timely completion.”
He thanked President Museveni and the Minister of Education and Sports, First Lady Janet Museveni, for identifying the contractor.
In January this year, the Chairperson of the Committee on Education and Sports, Hon. John Ntamuhiira, said that the Ministry of Finance should commit additional funding of Shs100 billion to the National Council of Sports to facilitate the construction of Akii-Bua Stadium in Lira and Buhinga Stadium in Kabarole.
“The committee was informed that after the failure by the government to secure a grant from the Republic of China to construct the two regional stadia, there is a need for the government to secure funding for their construction,” Ntamuhiira said.
According to the PAMOJA bid where Uganda will co-host the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in 2027 with Kenya and Tanzania, Akii-Bua Stadium is listed as one of the stadiums to host the games.
FUFA Stadium in Hoima City is another stadium that will host 2027 AFCON games following a presidential directive for its construction for the tournament, to boost Namboole and Nakivubo Stadiums in Kampala.
The 15,000-seater Hoima Stadium is estimated to cost Shs380 billion compared to the 30,000-seater Akii-Bua stadium estimated to cost Shs180 billion.
The Education Committee also recommended that a provision of Shs110 billion for the construction of 11 training grounds for the 2027 AFCON games, be made.
Ntamuhiira also recommended additional funding of Shs114 billion to cater for commitment fees under the PAMOJA bid.
“This is necessary for Uganda’s fulfilment of requirements by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), to avoid revocation of the AFCON bid,” he added.