AFCON 2027: Kole North MP Dr. Acuti urges parliament to urgently address Lango roads

Kole North Member of Parliament, Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti, has raised a serious matter of national importance on the floor of Parliament.

The matter regards the delay in the construction of roads intended for use during the AFCON 2027 tournament, even as the Akii Bua Stadium construction project surpasses the 50 percent completion mark.

Dr. Acuti made the statement on Thursday, March 26, 2026, while presenting a report on the status of the construction of the Corner Ayer–Iceme–Bobi road, which forms part of the Akii Bua Stadium precinct projects, as Uganda prepares to host AFCON next year.

“We are aware that the procurement process was initiated and the construction proceeded, with approval from the Ministry of Works. However, on a sad note, we have been informed by the Ministry of Works that there has been a change in government priorities and the project has been dropped,” Dr. Acuti said.

The MP noted that all procedural clearances had been obtained from the Solicitor General and the Ministry of Justice, adding that the project had been stalled for a long time by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, in conjunction with the Ministry of Works.

Dr. Eunice Apio Otuku, Member of Parliament for Oyam North, reminded Parliament that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni had previously pledged to prioritise the road during his campaign tour while addressing a rally in the Lango sub-region.

Dr. Apio noted that local communities had already been mobilised to support the project, including agreeing to compensation arrangements to allow works to begin.

Noting that both Kole and Oyam are the districts in Lango that will benefit from the Corner Aboke–Iceme–Bobi road during AFCON 2027, she expressed concern that halting the project at this stage would undermine public trust and delay development in the affected districts.

Responding to the matter, Henry Musasizi, the State Minister for Finance in charge of General Duties, said the delay is linked to financing arrangements for the project.

He explained that although the Attorney General had cleared the contract, the clearance came with a requirement to comply with Article 159 of the Constitution, which mandates parliamentary approval for government borrowing.

Musasizi added that the Ministry of Finance has already written to the President seeking clearance for the borrowing and is currently awaiting his response before proceeding.

A latest report by CAF on the status and readiness of stadiums, roads and hotels in Uganda ahead of the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) reveals “huge gaps” and “a lot of work to do” for the country to co-host games.