The government has partnered with Egypt’s SAMCO National Construction Company to build the 20,000-seat Akii Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City. The $129 million (about Shs470 billion) project is slated for completion within 20 months.
The contract signing ceremony was held at State House Nakasero and hosted by First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni.
Representing the government, Muhammad Bbaale, the Accounting Officer for the National Council of Sports (NCS), signed the agreement, while Engineer Ibrahim Abdelaziz Mahmoud Mabrouk penned his signature for SAMCO. The Solicitor General, Pius Biribonwoha, was on hand to witness the proceedings.
Janet Museveni handed over an 18.455-hectare land title to Ambrose Tashobya, Chairperson of the NCS, symbolizing the official green light for the stadium’s construction. State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, praised the project, describing it as a “state-of-the-art facility” that will place Lira City firmly on the global sports map.
The Akii Bua Olympic Stadium—named after Uganda’s legendary gold-medalist John Akii Bua—will feature a wide array of facilities designed to cater to both athletes and fans. The centerpiece is a 20,000-seat stadium with a modern athletics track. Additional highlights include: 2,000-seat indoor arena for multiple sports, 25-meter semi-Olympic swimming pool, outdoor courts for basketball, netball, volleyball, and badminton, and a 60-room hostel for athletes.
To ensure the stadium meets international standards, the design incorporates cutting-edge infrastructure, including ICT systems, roads, a sewerage treatment plant, and security systems.
The venue will also have a parking facility for over 1,000 vehicles, a borehole for water management, and a fully furnished clubhouse for administrative operations.
