David GOMBE
The construction of the Akii Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City is currently at the final structural phase, with the main stadium frame almost done but according to Dr. Dennis Mugimba, the Chairperson of the AFCON 2027 Uganda Sub-committee for communications has revealed that over Shs724 Billion is required for completion of the stadium.
While addressing the media on Tuesday, Mugimba asserted that the stadium will be used as a stand by facility for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations to be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
“𝙐𝙂𝙓 724 𝘽𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚 𝘼𝙠𝙞𝙞 𝘽𝙪𝙖 𝙊𝙡𝙮𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙘 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙪𝙢. 𝙄𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙-𝙗𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝘾𝘼𝙁.” Said Mugimba
The stadium has advanced to the roofing stage, with teams installing a complex steel space truss system subcontracted to Turkish engineering firm POLARKON. The system will cover 30,000 square metres. Once the steel framework is secured, it will be completed with waterproof sheets to provide full overhead protection.
Currently the main roof structure is being installed as well as tiling and interior painting of VIP sections and utility rooms, and construction of auxiliary facilities such as players’ hostels, a clubhouse and a 25 metre semi Olympic swimming pool.
The overall project progress stands at 45 percent as roofing, mechanical, electrical and finishing works continue.
Works on the 20,000-seat multi-sport complex began in January 2024 and are conducted by Egyptian firm SAMCO National Construction Company.
The stadium is named after Uganda’s legendary athelete John Akii-Bua, who is also the nation’s first Olympic gold medalist, following his 400-meter hurdles victory at the 1972 Munich Games.
It will feature an eight-lane athletics track, a main football pitch, a 2,000-seat indoor arena, outdoor courts, and parking space for up to 1,000 vehicles.
