Akii-Bua stadium set for December 2026 completion

14 September 2026, 7:32 pm

By Baker Okello

The construction of the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City remains on schedule, with the government reaffirming that the facility will be completed and ready for handover by December 31, 2026—slightly ahead of the initial handover date of January 2, 2027.

Speaking to the media shortly after an oversight visit to the stadium, State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang said the main stadium and its key training facilities must be fully completed and handed over by the end of December.

Minister Ogwang said the latest inspection reports indicate that construction works being undertaken by the Egyptian firm SAMCO National Construction Company have reached an advanced stage.

He noted that roofing works have been completed, while installation of seats is at an advanced stage as the project enters its final phase.

Minister Ogwang, however, noted that the auxiliary training ground at the university has slightly fallen behind its original construction timeline, although the main stadium remains on track for completion in December.

He also clarified that the external access roads connecting to the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium are not under the mandate of the Ministry of Education and Sports, but fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Works and Transport, together with the relevant city authorities.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees and Erute South Member of Parliament, Sam Engola, reassured the public that government remains committed to upgrading the designated 18.7-kilometre external road network around the stadium to tarmac standards.

The roads include Ireda Shamba Road, Lumumba Ogengo Road and Boroboro Road, among other critical routes.

Engola said the road infrastructure will be important in improving accessibility to the stadium and supporting its effective use once construction is completed.

Meanwhile, Lira City Mayor Sam Atul said the progress recorded at the stadium closely aligns with the overall completion timeline.

Atul noted that the main stadium complex has entered its final stages, with engineering and site inspection reports indicating that the main bowl has reached approximately 81.5 percent completion.

He said roofing has been completed, while seat installation is also nearing completion.

The focus has now shifted increasingly toward infrastructure surrounding the stadium, particularly the access roads.

The Ministry of Education and Sports is working with the Ministry of Works and Transport and Lira City authorities to expedite the road works ahead of the planned handover.

With the main stadium progressing steadily toward completion, attention is now turning to the supporting infrastructure needed to make the facility fully accessible and functional.

Government officials say completing the stadium and its surrounding road network on time will be critical to ensuring that the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium is ready to serve athletes, the people of Lira and the wider Lango Subregion when it is handed over.