The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, has described the construction of the Akii Bua Olympic Stadium as a monumental moment for Ugandan sports.
Speaking after the signing of the contract between the Ugandan government and Egyptian construction firm SAMCO, she emphasized the symbolic and practical significance of the project.
“I had the immense honor of handing over the 18,455-hectare land title for the Akii Bua Olympic Stadium to the National Council of Sports,” Janet Museveni tweeted. “This is not just about infrastructure—it’s about giving our athletes a home worthy of their dreams.”
The stadium, named after Uganda’s legendary Olympic gold medalist John Akii-Bua, is a key element of Uganda’s sports development plan and its preparations to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The First Lady highlighted the stadium’s potential to inspire young athletes and foster excellence in sports across the nation.
“Akii Bua Olympic Stadium will stand as a testament to Uganda’s belief in its people,” she noted. “It will inspire young athletes, foster excellence, and remind us all of what’s possible when we dare to dream big.”
The 20,000-seater multi-purpose stadium is expected to transform Uganda’s sports landscape, providing a state-of-the-art facility for football and various other sporting events.
With construction commencing soon, the project also honors the legacy of John Akii-Bua while charting a path for future champions.
“This landmark project honors the legacy of the great John Akii-Bua while lighting the way for future champions,” Janet Museveni added. “It is a proud step forward for sports and for Uganda’s future.”
The government is set to release $200 million (UGX 730 billion) in January to finance the construction of the Akii Bua and Hoima stadiums. Both construction firms—SAMCO for Akii Bua and SUMMA for Hoima—have the capacity to pre-finance the projects, ensuring smooth and timely progress.
