Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium lined up for AFCON 2027

The Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium has been selected as an AFCON 2027 venue after the contractor, SAMCO, made significant progress towards its completion.

State Sports Minister Peter Ogwang announced this after a meeting with the Parliament Committee on Education and Sports, following their inspection of the proposed host facilities at Hoima City Stadium last Wednesday.

“I have sent teams to Lira and Gulu to meet with local hoteliers. CAF has also sent a team to engage with them. We are now prioritising hotel readiness in Lira and Gulu to support the optimal use of the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium,” Ogwang said.

He added that President Museveni has directed the Ministry of Finance, in partnership with the Uganda Development Bank, to immediately fund hoteliers.

“The facility is no longer a backup; it is now an official venue. CAF has confirmed three competition venues: Akii-Bua, Hoima, and Namboole. They have emphasised the need to address all supporting facilities, especially accommodation. I confirm that we have three venues and will be ready. We encourage the people of Lango and Acholi to work with us to ensure the competition's success.”

Earlier, Sarah Ajok, a technical engineer at SAMCO Construction, said work on the Akii-Bua Stadium began on May 3, 2025, with completion scheduled for January 2, 2027. She informed MPs that the contract includes both design and construction phases.

She explained that the project consists of two zones. Zone 1 includes the 20,000-seat main stadium, while Zone 2 contains additional facilities such as the mini arena, hostel, swimming pool, clubhouse, tennis courts, futsal pitch, training pitch, and indoor arena.

“The project's physical progress is at 84%, and financial progress is at 87%, both positive indicators,” Ajok said.

“For the main stadium in Zone 1, 83% of the work is complete. Artworks are 98% finished, structural work is at 97%, and finishing work is ongoing. Mechanical and electrical installations are at 80%. MEP and structural works are progressing together, with 85% completion. Roofing is fully complete, and the main stadium pitch is at 78%.”

She noted that key remaining tasks include asphalt work, set to begin in four days, and ring roads, currently at 40% completion. Work on U-drains has started, while external works and landscaping are at 45%.

“Overall, Zone 1, the main stadium, is 90% complete. In Zone 2, the mini arena is 35% finished, while the hostel and clubhouse are each at 65%. The training pitch with a track is 90% complete, and both the training pitch without a track and the fibre site are fully finished. Changing rooms A and B, along with the swimming pool, are at 60%. MEP works for Zone 2 are at 90%, and both the perimeter fence and tennis court are fully completed.”

She stated that work on Zone 1 should be completed in about six weeks. “After that, we aim to finish all work in Zone 2 within three to four months.”

The ground floor will include a gym, VVIP entrance, press conference room, and toilets. Female toilets and the main service room will be on the second floor, while VVIP hospitality will be located on the third floor. The first floor will feature 'sky boxes' and other amenities.

NCS General Secretary Patrick Ogwel said the project was progressing well, as planned in the contract.

“As the government, we've already paid the full 50 per cent you see here, which came from our own funds. We're supposed to pay the remaining 50 per cent once the project is finished, and the contractor has already taken care of that part,” Ogwel said.

For their part, MPs advised NCS to develop a strategic plan for managing these facilities. Olympian Julius Acon, now an MP, said the project was a dream come true for the people of Lango.

“I encourage the people of Lango, as well as our national leaders, to support and make the most of this new stadium. Let us guide our youth to use this facility responsibly. Sports is among the highest-paying professions globally, surpassing many others,” he said.

“I urge our leaders to continue educating our community. Let us ensure our youth receive proper training and support all members, including expectant mothers, in participating in sports activities.”