Lango MPs demand local content as Akii Bua stadium construction begins

Lira |As construction on the Akii Bua Olympic stadium begins, Lango MPs have demanded the consideration of local content.

The stadium is one of the key infrastructure projects that the Lango people have been demanding from the government.

On December 24, a construction site handover event was held in Lira City.

During the event, Members of Parliament (LPG) warned SAMCO International Construction, an Egyptian company contracted to build the stadium, to prioritize local content.

The 20,000-seat stadium, named after the first Olympic gold medalist, John Akii Bua, will feature modern amenities. It will include a main stadium, training facilities, indoor stadium, swimming pool, outdoor courts, parking, and other necessary infrastructure.

It is expected to be completed in 20 months. This project demonstrates the Ugandan government’s commitment to sports development, as well as the community’s generosity in donating 18.455 acres of land for stadium construction.

The MPs want the majority of the labour force to be Lango residents, rather than casual workers, as most construction companies employ.

Judith Alyek, chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group, stated that some companies have long violated labor laws by importing workers while ignoring locals, which they do not want to see happen during the construction of Akii Bua.

“This is our project, we want to see our local people employed not as casual workers only but in administration and management,” Alyek said.

“Most importantly, no violation of labour law, we don’t want to hear people paying money to seek a job in the construction of Akii Bua,” the LPG chairperson added.

Moses Anyii Omara, who represented the chairperson of the National Council of Sports, promised quality work and timely delivery within the 20-month project period.

Omara rallied the business community to take advantage of the stadium’s availability and build hotels that will boost business.

Meanwhile, Sam Atul, Mayor of Lira City Council, requested that the contractor complete the work on time. “The government has demonstrated that they can deliver work in time as shown in the repair of Karuma Bridge. This is what we want to see in Akii Bua’s construction; do not fail us.”

Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataha Museveni pledged her full support for the construction of the long-awaited stadium during a speech delivered by government chief whip Denis Hamson Obua.

She stated that the facility will be a great symbol of love for the late Lango icon, John Akii Bua, by nurturing and developing talent in various sports disciplines.

Akii Bua is one of the sports facilities expected to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations after CAF accepted the Pamoja bid of three East African nations, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, last year.