The preparations for the highly anticipated TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations due to be hosted by among others Uganda gathered momentum on Tuesday as the National Council of Sports (NCS) and Ministry of Education and Sports handed over the Akii-Bua stadium site to contractors.
The ceremony to hand over the site measuring over 18.455 Hectares of land to Ms SAMCO National Construction Company, an Egyptian firm was at the stadium with the Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua representing the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataha Museveni and Minister of State for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang who were absent as they attended yet another important meeting in relation to hosting CHAN due early next year.
“As you are aware, the journey to the construction of Akii-Bua stadium has been a long one and has been quite on the agenda for some time,” read partly a joint message from the First Lady/Minister of Education and Sports and Minister of State for Sports as read by Obua.
“The journey started with consultations held on February 28, 2024 between the H.E the President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Ministry of Education and Sports, National Council of Sports, Ms SAMCO National Council Sports and Ministry of Works & Transport we agreed in that meeting that we construct Akii Bua stadium which meets international standards and I now wish to congratulate the contractor who has been endorsed and chosen to implement this project.
Obua revealed the cost of the stadium that will also house more 12 sports disciplines will cost a whopping $129,743,185 and will be complete and delivered within 20 months.
The Project shall comprise a complete structure with all auxiliary facilities, associated installations and services with the components being; Main Stadium (20,000-seater with Athletic track), Training Facilities (Track & Field with at least 2 changing rooms), a 2,000-seater Multi-Sport Indoor Stadium, 25 Meter Semi-Olympic Size Swimming Pool, Outdoor stadia (Basketball/Netball, Volleyball/Badminton), Open and Closed Car Park (1,000 cars) and Spectator Piazza.
He also encouraged the contractors to employ locals from the area with emphasis on government policy of Buy Uganda, Build Uganda (BUBU) with a central view to the decentralized view of subcontractors through skilled labour and casual workers as well.
In the absence of NCS General Secretary Dr. Patrick Ogwel and chairman Ambrose Tashobya who were also attending a state house meeting in preparations for both CHAN and Afcon, the NCS was represented by several dignitaries including Board Member Moses Anyi Omara and Joseph Oluga who confirmed the land title at Akii Bua is secured and in the name of NCS as per the policy now.
Hon Dr. Ruth Aceng, the Area MP and Minister of Health graced the occasion and like all speakers, emphasized the need to employ the locals and saluted the government of Uganda for the effort to ensure Akii Bua is built.
Engineer Ahmed on behalf of Ms SAMCO National Construction Company promised to deliver quality work and on time although he admitted this will be the first time they are working on a stadium.
“We are committed to ensuring the stadium is delivered in the specified period and with the required international standards,” he said. “This will be our first project about a stadium but we have built a lot other projects and there is not much difference.”
This will be the first project they work on in Uganda and as asked, Ahmed promised to employ locals and also insisted on balancing gender which excited all the leadership of the area.
The function was also graced by among others Members of Parliament from Lango, religious and cultural leaders, Lira City/ District authorities, area security chiefs and the locals.
Mandela National stadium, Namboole, Hoima stadium which is undergoing construction and Akii Bua stadium are earmarked to host Afcon matches in 2027 after Uganda won a joint bid with Kenya and Tanzania.
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