MPs panic over Akii-Bua stadium

Two members of parliament (MPs) made a surprising entrance into a session of the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Sports last Friday, where ministry of Education officials, including Higher Education State Minister John Chrysostom Muyingo and Permanent Secretary Ketty Lamaro, were present.

The two MPs, Dr. Samuel Opio-Acuti representing Kole North and Linda Agnes Auma from Lira district, clarified that they were not committee members but were there on behalf of the Lango Parliamentary Group. Dr Acuti, who is an Independent with an NRM leaning, holds the position of general secretary within the Lango Parliamentary Group, while Auma, affiliated with the NRM, serves as its publicity officer.

These parliamentary groups are common in parliament and are formed by various sub-regions to advocate for shared interests. Their presence and intervention in the meeting were motivated by concerns raised by voters in the Lango sub-region. These voters had conveyed threats to NRM leaders in the region, warning of electoral consequences in 2026 if the budget for the construction of Akii-Bua stadium was not included in the 2024/25 budget.

The stadium’s construction was essential to prepare for hosting the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) in 2027. Dr Acuti emphasized the Lango Parliamentary Group’s demand for the inclusion of the Akii-Bua stadium construction in the 2024/25 budget, considering it a pressing political issue with significant implications.

He likened it to a volcanic issue that required immediate attention. The meeting was presided over by Bunyaruguru MP John Twesigye. The ministry of Education officials had appeared before the committee to present their budget framework paper estimates, which did not prioritize the construction of the Akii-Bua stadium.

Notably, on September 27, 2023, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarded hosting rights for the 36th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2027 to Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania as part of the East Africa joint Pamoja bid. This marked a historic moment as the region was set to host this prestigious football tournament for the first time since its inception in 1957.

Following the successful bid, during the parliamentary sitting on October 3, 2023, a motion was debated to commend the government for its success. Several MPs called for the construction and renovation of stadiums across various regions, including Akii-Bua stadium. However, the permanent secretary, Ketty Lamaro, defended the absence of Akii-Bua stadium in the budget, explaining that Afcon facilities had to meet specific criteria set by CAF, which included the presence of an international airport.

Hoima had been chosen as a host city due to the existing Kabalega airport, influencing the decision. In response, Dr Acuti and Auma protested Lamaro’s explanation, asserting that funds should be allocated for the construction of Akii-Bua stadium. They cited previous government statements indicating the intention to build two additional stadiums, one in Lira (Akii-Bua) and another in Hoima, for the purpose of hosting Afcon.

Auma emphasized that the people of Lango, despite their support for the NRM government, deserved to benefit from development projects. She questioned whether Lango MPs should fund the construction of an international airport for the stadium, emphasizing that it was their right to receive government services as citizens.

Furthermore, the MPs challenged Lama- ro’s reasoning behind selecting Namboole national stadium, which lacks an international airport, as an Afcon venue. They argued that Gulu and Soroti airfields could be upgraded to meet the requirements for the tournament.

In conclusion, the situation regarding funding for the construction of Akii-Bua stadium has evolved into a complex and politically charged debate. The Lango MPs are adamant that their region should benefit from hosting Afcon 2027, and they are demanding budgetary allocation for the stadium’s construction. This issue holds broader implications for resource allocation and regional development dynamics in Uganda.