President Yoweri Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni have officially laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Akii Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City, marking a historic milestone in Uganda’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Speaking at the event on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, President Museveni defended the government’s commitment to sports, responding to critics who have long questioned Uganda’s investment in sports infrastructure.
“People sometimes claim that this government is ineffective, that we often overlook the importance of sports,” Museveni said.
“As both a sportsman and a footballer, I understand that focusing on sports was challenging during the country’s rebuilding phase. This was especially true during times of unrest and food shortages (Cham), which left many people poor and hungry. We recognised the value of sports, but we had to progress step by step; after all, Kamu Kamu gwe muganda (one by one makes a bundle),” he added.
The stadium, a $129 million project, will be a state-of-the-art multi-sports complex constructed by the Egyptian firm SAMCO.
It will feature a 20,000-seat main stadium, an athletics track, a full-sized football field with changing rooms, a 2,000-seat indoor arena, a semi-Olympic swimming pool, outdoor courts for multiple sports, a 60-bed hostel, and advanced ICT infrastructure.
President Museveni emphasized that the facility is part of Uganda’s broader development strategy and a sign of the country’s growing capacity to invest in sports.
The First Lady, who also serves as Minister of Education and Sports, previously highlighted the stadium as a “home worthy of our athletes’ dreams” and a tribute to the late Olympic gold medalist John Akii-Bua.
With construction now officially underway, the government remains confident that the Akii Bua Olympic Stadium will be completed within 20 months, ensuring it is ready to host matches for AFCON 2027.
