President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has launched the construction works on Akii Bua Olympic International Stadium in Lira City.
During a ceremony held at the construction site of the Akii Bua Stadium at Erute, Lira City East Ward, on Wednesday, 29th January 2025, President Museveni, accompanied by the first lady, Jane Museveni, said the government has now prioritized the establishment of strategic sporting facilities in the country.
In his message, President Museveni said the facility, once built, will boost Uganda’s capacity to jointly host AFCON games with Kenya and Tanzania.
The construction of the stadium, according to the Minister of Education, Sport Science and Technology, also the First Lady Janet Museveni, will cost USD 129 million and will be completed after a period of 20 months.
President Museveni said the delay to build Akii Bua Stadium was because the government had prioritized peace, stability, food security, and other things.
“We needed to do Akii Bua Stadium for a long time, but we didn’t have money then; we had to first work on Namboole Stadium in Kampala at that time. Those who are saying that “No Akii Bua, No votes” are just liars; I really don’t have time for such people,” Museveni said.
He cautioned the people of Lango not to listen to those he termed liars, saying the government has now prioritized construction of several sporting facilities around the country.
“Any leader who tells you that he will do it at once, just know that he is a liar. We are now targeting AFCON. By focusing, that’s how we managed to secure support to build Akii Bua Stadium. You heard that we hosted 7000 delegates during NAM, and we had to build a huge conference center at Munyonyo. We hosted delegates from 114 countries because of being focused,” President Museveni said.
According to President Museveni, leaders should not confuse people they lead but should work on truth.
“Please, we are tired of liars (goba). Votes based on lies are not good. Votes must be based on truth because if you have votes based on lies, you are going to deceive your country. I don’t want to kill our country; I will always tell you the truth. We are here to celebrate the Akii Bua stadium, which we are going to fast-track now and focus on AFCON, which we host jointly,” Museveni said.
Minister Janet Museveni said that following the President’s guidance, the government has embarked on the construction of various sporting facilities around the country.
“Being here today is a testament that the government is committed to delivering pending pledges. The benefits of building Akii Bua will boost talent nurturing.
She noted that once completed, the facility will include an athletic track, a training ground, 2000 seaters, a 25-meter swimming pool, basketball, netball, volleyball pitches, and badminton, a parking space for over 1000 vehicles, and a hostel perimeter wall fence.
“I direct the Ministry of Education technical officials who will be supervising the works to ensure there is value for money,” First Lady Janet Museveni explained.
Akii Bua Olympic International Stadium was named after the late ASP John Akii, Uganda’s first Olympic gold medalist.
