The National Unity Platform Members of Parliament (MPs) have urged the government to redevelop the Lugogo Cricket Oval stadium, to prevent public land from being taken over by private individuals after failed reconstruction by investors.

According to Richard Lumu, the Mityana South MP, they are worried about the fate of the stadium because government has never drawn any agreements with investors.

“We are worried what will happen to the stadium because we don’t have agreements, which were supposed to be made by the government and investor,” Lumu said.

Joyce Bagala, the Women Representative for Mityana in Parliament requested government for an update on the Aki-Bua Stadium in Lira, which was submitted on the list of arenas for Uganda to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

“In 2023, one of the concerns raised in Uganda’s bid to host the AFCON in 2027 was the redevelopment of Aki-Bua Stadium in Lira, and we would like to know what the regime is doing and an update on the redevelopment of that stadium,” Bagala added.

According to the Mawokota North MP, Hillary Kiyaga, the sports industry cannot grow if the practice facilities intended to support it are handed away.

He encouraged the government to refrain from turning over the development of Uganda’s sporting infrastructure to the private sector.

“When we push for the growth of the sports business, the government is the entity with the most clout and must make investments in the sports community,” Kiyaga said.

This is in line with what happened to Pearl of Africa, owned by Aya Group, which was put up for sale in an effort to recoup billions of shillings in debt.