Members of Parliament from the Lango sub region have protested the government’s decision to abandon the construction of Akii-Bua Stadium in Lira City because the region lacks the roads and airport required to host AFCON 2027.
The legislators under the umbrella of the Lango Parliamentary Group, while addressing the media at Parliament on Wednesday, November 15th, described the move as a breach of contract against the 2.5 million people of the Lango sub-region despite supporting NRM in the general elections.
MP Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti (Kole North) questioned Uganda’s preparedness to host AFCON if the government has abandoned the construction of Aki-Bua Stadium because it has no funds for such an investment.
MP Judith Alyek (Kole District Woman Representative) lashed out at Peter Ogwang, Minister of State for Sports, for backing out of the earlier promise to construct Aki-Bua Stadium to host AFCON, saying such a decision is malicious and demanding a meeting be held between the MPs and the President.
“The reasons being given for the lack of an airport and good roads are unjustifiable since construction of roads is a function of the government, which it failed to fulfil in the Lango Sub-region despite several calls to do so over the years. Even then, the remaining 3 years are sufficient to have this requirement,” said MP Alyek.
MP Tony Ayoo (Kwania County) wondered why the aspirations of the 2.5 million people in the Lango sub-region should be sidelined in preference for Hamis Kiggundu, who has fronted Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium, yet his premises are so squeezed and could force the closure of businesses down town Kampala.
“Nakivubo is in the central business district, so squeezed safety and security are going to demand a lot from the country. There are lock-up shops that are all over the stadium, and that will mean you need to evacuate all those people, you need to block the road every day, disorganize people’s businesses, and I don’t think CAF will accept this kind of situation,” said Ayoo.
MP Paul Omara (Otuke County) said if the decision to leave out Aki-Bua is maintained, Lango Sub-region will miss out on the chance to develop its infrastructure, which has remained the lowest in Uganda at just 3% of paved roads.
“We only have 3% of paved roads, and it is the lowest in the country. An investment in Aki-Bua nature was for us an investment journey that would augment development in the Lango sub-region, and this is a commitment that was made. The people of Lango are asking, Why is it that every time, we as people have to fight to get what is duly ours?” remarked Omara.
Recently, a section of residents formed a pressure group code named NO AKII BUA NO AFCON in a bid to push the government to rescind the earlier decision to sideline the facility from hosting the coming AFCON.
On Tuesday, the group gave the government a seven-day ultimatum to rescind the decision or else they would stage a peaceful protest in the 10 districts of the region.
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