Member of Parliament for Kole North, Dr Samuel Opio Acuti, has petitioned President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni regarding the exclusion of the Corner Ayer–Corner Aboke–Iceme–Bobi road from the list of roads earmarked for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.

This development follows the publication of a bid notice by the Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT), which invited eligible bidders to submit sealed bids for urgent civil works to support road infrastructure for the tournament.

However, the bid notably omits the 55-kilometre Corner Ayer–Corner Aboke–Iceme–Bobi road, a critical route that would connect Gulu Airfield in Gulu City to the Akii Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City.

In a letter addressed to the President, a copy of which tndNews, Uganda, has seen, Dr Acuti reminded the President that he had previously raised the issue concerning this very road.

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“Your Excellency, during the April 2026 Kyankwanzi retreat for NRM members of the 12th Parliament, I raised the issue on the AFCON road, the 55km Corner Ayer–Corner Aboke–Iceme–Bobi road which will link Gulu Airfield in Gulu City to Akii Bua stadium in Lira City,” the letter reads.

The MP noted that at the retreat, it was indicated that a letter had been written to the President from the Ministry of Finance requesting clearance to proceed, and that the President also directed that the Principal Private Secretary (PPS) avail the letter to him.

The letter further states that the retreat was also informed that Akii Bua Olympic Stadium would serve as a standby stadium for AFCON 2027, implying that all supporting infrastructure, including the connecting roads, would also be placed on standby.

“Unfortunately, this has been bypassed! The bid invitation issued has excluded this road alongside the 18.7 km access road for Akii Bua stadium,” the MP added.

Dr Acuti also challenged arguments that there is insufficient time to construct the 55km road, pointing out an apparent contradiction.

“Your Excellency, there have been some arguments that there isn’t enough time for the construction of the 55km CACAIB road.

“However, the total length of the roads under the bids issued by the Ministry of Works and Transport equals 72.25km. CACAIB is just 55km! What miracle will be used to work on the 72.25km of the AFCON roads that cannot be used on the 55km Corner Ayer–Corner Aboke–Iceme–Bobi road?” the MP questioned.

In his appeal, Dr Acuti underscored the political stakes, reminding the President of the region’s overwhelming support in the recent general election.

“Your Excellency, this is an urgent matter in Kole and Lango. Lango alone gave over 84% of the 2026 general election votes, and Kole district also gave you 86% of the votes. I wish if the construction of the CACAIB road was the key infrastructure project fronted to gather the majority of these votes, and assurances were given several times on this undertaking,” he stated.

Additionally, the MP raised concerns about a recurring pattern of obstruction affecting key projects in the Lango sub-region. Dr Acuti cited that he has noticed that whenever the President approves infrastructure projects for the people of Lango, there are invisible hands that keep fighting these projects.

He pointed to the Lira-Kamdini road and the Akii Bua Olympic Stadium construction as past examples, and now the CACAIB road as the latest victim of such resistance.

“I therefore urgently appeal to you as our Fountain of Honour, our Beacon of Development, and our Champion of Socio-Economic Transformation to intervene,” he pleaded.

Dr Acuti conveyed the growing frustration among his constituents, warning that the exclusion has sparked significant discontent.

“Finally, the people of Kole district are not happy about this exclusion and have turned their wrath on us, the leaders, who are left with only one option: to ask for your urgent titanic intervention,” the letter reads.