Lira, (UG):- The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Education and Sports, has officially handed over the construction site of the stalled Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira District to Samco, the Egyptian construction company to mark the beginning of the construction process for the long-awaited stadium.
The stadium, named after Uganda’s iconic Olympic gold medallist John Akii-Bua, is set to have a seating capacity of 20,000 once completed. This stadium project will be executed at a cost of $129 million and is expected to be completed within 20 months.
The project includes a main stadium with an athletics track, two training fields with changing rooms, a 2,000-seat indoor multi-sport arena, a 25-meter semi-Olympic swimming pool, outdoor courts for basketball, netball, volleyball, and badminton, and parking for 1,000 vehicles.
Additional infrastructure such as roads, utilities, a sewerage treatment plant, ICT systems, perimeter fencing, and security installations will also be developed.
The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sport, Mrs Janet Kataaha Museveni in a message read on her behalf by Government chief whip, Denis Hamson Obua confirmed handing over the construction site is a testament to the government’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations to ensure that Uganda successfully positions itself to a broader context to deliver on its mandate towards the sport in infrastructure development of the sports industry in Uganda.
The construction of Akii-Bua will bridge the gap in sports infrastructure that is vital in the nurturing and development of our abandoned talents in sports and to which Lango Sub-region has already distinguished its capabilities through the late legendary John Akii-bua
She also appealed to the contractor, Ms Samco National Construction Company, the consultant, the Ministry of Works in Transport, the National Council of Sports and the infrastructure subcommittee of the Africa Cup of Nations, 2027 local organising committee to ensure that there is value for money.
“The Government of Uganda expects nothing less than a high-quality modern stadium that meets international standards completed within 20 months,” Ms Janet Museveni said.
Dr Patrick Benrad Ogwel – General Secretary of National Council of Sports urged business people to tap the opportunities that the stadium is bringing to the area, especially in the hospitably industry.
Ogwel said constructing Akii-Bua should wake up residents of Lira City to prepare business-wise since the stadium will bring in more opportunities to them.
“Specifically to the business community, we still lack some amenities that must make Afcon function well. That means even the business community must play their roles in terms of hotels. For instance, the other day I was trying to inquire, we can’t even afford to get 5,000 beds in Lira. So that means if we are to host Afcon in 2027, our focus from today must be to improve on hotels,” Dr Ogwel said.
Lira City Mayor, Sam Atul, asked the contractor to do the job on time. He said borrowing a line from Karuma Bridge road rehabilitation that the government has demonstrated, Samco too can fulfil and accomplish projects on time.
“We are asking the project management team that please don’t fail us this time. Let’s continue doing it and let’s do it well. So we want to see a roadmap that is clear. We want to see site meetings that are clear, updates that are clear,” Atul said.
AbdelhaKaoud Ahamed Abdelgali, an official from Samco National Construction Company, pledged to the public that the project will absorb 30 per cent of Local content. According to him, the contract terms say 30% local content, whether causal labourers, suppliers or subcontractors.
He added that they are careful of gender in employment from the project. “Make sure Gender Balance is also one of the contact terms. This is your project and you are going to benefit from your project here,” He said.
Ms Judith Alyek, the Kole District Woman Member of Parliament who doubles as Chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group said Akii Bua Stadium was part of the Lango Agenda for Development that the Lango people presented to President Museveni in 2012.
“Everyone’s dedication and perseverance are truly appreciated to ensure Akiibua comes true. Thanks to Lango Parliamentary group, both past and present for your relentless lobbying. Once the construction is complete, it will be a momentous occasion to celebrate,” Alyek said.
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