President Yoweri Museveni officially launched the construction of the Sh490 billion Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City on Wednesday.
The stadium, named in honour of Uganda’s first Olympic gold medalist, John Akii-Bua, will be built on 45.6 acres of land in Ngetta Hills, Lira City, Northern Uganda.
The Egyptian firm SAMCO National Construction Company was awarded the contract after signing the agreement at State House, Nakasero, on December 6, 2024. The site was officially handed over in December, setting the stage for full-scale construction.
The 20,000-seater stadium is set to be completed within 20 months, transforming Lira City into a major hub for athletics and multi-sport activities.
The Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium will feature a modern athletics track and dedicated training facilities with at least two changing rooms.
A 2,000-seat multi-sport indoor arena will be built to host basketball, netball, volleyball, and badminton. The stadium will also have a 25-meter semi-Olympic swimming pool for professional and recreational swimming.
Additionally, five extra sports pitches will be constructed to accommodate various sporting disciplines. Outdoor courts for basketball, netball, volleyball, and badminton will be included. A 1,000-vehicle parking facility will be set up to ease accessibility for fans and event attendees.
The stadium will also house a fully furnished clubhouse for operations and administration, as well as a 60-room hostel to accommodate athletes and officials during sporting events.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, President Museveni acknowledged the long wait for the project, attributing the delay to the government’s focus on national stability and improving citizens’ livelihoods.
He said that the Akii-Bua Stadium will not only honour a national hero but also boost sports development and create new opportunities for Ugandan athletes.
