The construction of the Akii Bua Olympic City Stadium in Lira City is steadily advancing, with works currently at 25%, the Minister of State for Sports Peter Ogwang has said.
The 20,000-seat stadium is part of Uganda’s preparations to host matches for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
“Akii Bua Olympic City Stadium in Lira City is taking shape, with works currently at 25%,” Ogwang said on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
Named in honour of John Akii-Bua, Uganda’s 1972 Olympic gold medalist in the 400m hurdles, the stadium is expected to become a world-class sporting venue in Northern Uganda. The project is being executed by Egypt’s SAMCO National Construction Company under a Shs 470 billion (USD 129 million) contract awarded by the Ugandan government.
Construction began in December 2024, following a ground-breaking ceremony presided over by President Museveni in January 2025.
The stadium complex will feature a 20,000-seat main stadium with an eight-lane athletics track, a 2,000-seat multi-sport indoor arena, a 25-meter semi-Olympic swimming pool, and outdoor courts for basketball, netball, volleyball, and badminton. In addition, a parking facility accommodating 1,000 vehicles is planned to support event operations.
Whilst at the event, Museveni highlighted that while the stadium was initially prioritized for its historical significance, Uganda’s successful AFCON bid prompted the government to also develop Hoima as a host venue, taking advantage of its proximity to an airport under construction.
The Lira stadium, however, is expected to serve as a key venue for both football and athletics events during the 2027 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Located on the John Akii Bua Playground in the heart of Lira City, the stadium will occupy approximately 18.5 hectares.
Once completed, it will significantly enhance Uganda’s ability to host international sporting events and underscore the country’s growing ambition in athletics and football.
Construction progress continues to gain momentum. SAMCO National Construction Company has completed 85 percent of the earthworks and erected 437 of the 872 required reinforced piles.
Work on reinforced columns, footings, and pile testing is ongoing as the project steadily moves toward its next phase.