President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has officially commissioned the construction of the Akii Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Wednesday, was attended by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, along with other government officials and sports stakeholders.
The stadium, once completed, is expected to significantly boost sports development in the region and honor the legacy of Uganda’s first Olympic gold medalist, John Akii Bua.
Museveni has been on a tour of the Lango Subregion to assess the progress of the Parish Development Model, and the stadium project is seen as a major infrastructure boost for the area.
The state-of-the-art facility will accommodate 20,000 spectators and include a main stadium, training facilities, an indoor arena, a swimming pool, outdoor courts, and ample parking.
The Ugandan government signed a contract for the project in June last year with Egyptian firm SAMCO National Construction Company. The $129 million project is expected to be completed within 20 months.
Lira City is expected to benefit significantly from the project, with an anticipated boost in tourism, job creation, and economic development.
The Akii Bua Olympic Stadium will be a landmark facility, fostering talent development and positioning Uganda as a host for regional and international sporting events.