The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, on Wednesday, slammed a move by a section of Lango MPs to protest the exclusion of Akii Bua Stadium in northern Uganda from hosting the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

In September, African football governing body CAF awarded Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania joint-hosting rights for the continent's flagship football tournament.

Among the pre-conditions, Kole North MP Dr Samuel Opio Acuti said Uganda was tasked with upgrading Mandela National Stadium and constructing two additional stadia: Buhinga in Fort Portal city and Akii Bua in Lira.

The legislators from Lango are not happy with a government move to omit Aki Bua Stadium from the list of hosting facilities and want a turnaround.

Members of Parliament attending a plenary sitting on November 15, 2023. Photo by Miriam Namutebi.

“The change suddenly is what has created outcry and concern and I really request Rt. Hon. Speaker that we sit and harmonize this," he said on Wednesday.

"Because as we speak, 29 out of 30 MPs have already come up with this resolution."

Earlier on in the day, the chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group, Judith Alyek, lambasted the development.

 “The reasons given for lack of an airport and good roads are unjustifiable," she said.

"The construction of roads and airport are a function of Government which it failed to fulfill in Lango sub-region despite several calls by its leaders to do so over the years."

The group of MPs labelled this as malicious given support the region has rendered to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) over the years.

If the position is not rescinded, they vowed to pay back Government in the same currency in the next polls.

Jackson Kafuzi, Deputy Attorney General follows proceedings during plenary on November 15, 2023. Photo by Miriam Namutebi.

'Making noise'

However, while chairing plenary, Speaker Among cautioned legislators about the impact of unsubstantiated statements.

She assured respective lawmakers that Aki Bua Stadium is still part of Government plans, along with Buhinga. She argued that this is so because of Olympian John Akii Bua’s remarkable feats on the track.

“Let’s have it budgeted for. Let’s appropriate and have it constructed," said Among.

"It doesn’t require us making noise outside there that you are addressing press conferences. Hon. Anyakun is going to come tomorrow and start addressing a press conference for Karamoja that we also want.

"Let’s avoid that kind of thing, but we are going to have it in place."

The Speaker pointed out that there is a checklist that must be followed and that, therefore, there is no malice whatsoever.

Fort Portal Central Division MP Alex Ruhunda said it is high time the Government availed funds for the development of Buhinga.

“When we were going to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government conference, the Government suffocated other budget lines and ensured that infrastructure that is required for the Commonwealth to take course is built and it took us a lot of money,” he said.

“I implore you, Madam Speaker, that in the same spirit, after learning of the conditions of AFCON, the Government can direct resources specifically to fulfill those requirements and this will boost the economy of this country."