Kole North Member of Parliament, Dr Samuel Opio Acuti, continues to press the government to ensure the Lango-based Akii Bua Olympic Stadium is ready for AFCON 2027.

The MP raised a matter of national importance on the floor of Parliament on August 26, concerning the exclusion of critical roads from the AFCON 2027 infrastructure development plan.

Specifically, he questioned why Corner Ayer, Corner Aboke, and Iceme to Bobi roads were omitted from the list of routes scheduled for construction.

MP Dr Acuti informed the House that the Minister of Works and Transport had released a list of access roads to be constructed to support the tournament, including routes to Hoima City Stadium and Mandela National Stadium Namboole.

However, he expressed concern that several roads intended to link to Akii Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City were left out, despite the facility being designated as a backup playing venue.

Also read: Lango MPs’ concerns grow over govt delays to build roads linking to Akii Bua Olympic Stadium

These roads are considered critical because they will connect Gulu Airfield in Gulu City and Akii Bua Stadium.

“If Akii Bua Stadium is to serve as a standby stadium for AFCON, it should be equipped with the same calibre of supporting infrastructure as the main venues,” MP Dr Opio Acuti said.

Drawing a parallel, he stated, “A standby generator should have the same capacity as the main power generator,” emphasising that the access roads leading to Lira must be similar to those serving the primary host cities.

He added that he and his colleagues have held several discussions with both the Minister of Sports and the Minister of Works and Transport regarding these issues.

The MP noted that the matter is not only economically significant but also politically sensitive, calling for a meeting with the President to address the situation personally.

He formally requested the Prime Minister to facilitate a multi-ministry meeting to find a lasting solution.

Gulu City Council Mayor Julius Acire Labeja, speaking to a local radio station last month, is one of those demanding that the government raise the standards of Gulu Airfield and the roads leading to Akii Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City.

Also read: “Lango Akii Bua Stadium roads”: Museveni orders release of funds

But what is the immediate response from the government officials?

Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oboth Oboth, did direct State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, to provide further clarification. The Speaker noted that all the roads in question had previously been included in the broader AFCON infrastructure package.

In response, Minister Ogwang confirmed to the House that the construction of these roads falls under the mandate of the Ministry of Works and Transport.

He assured Parliament that the government is aware that the AFCON 2027 countdown is underway, and acknowledged that while implementation is distributed across various ministries, the issues raised are currently being discussed within the relevant technical committees under the Ministry of Works and Transport.