Lira-The Lango Parliamentary Group (LPG) has issued a 7-day ultimatum to the government to reinstate Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium as one of the venues for AFCON 2027. The legislators have threatened to petition the Confederation of African Football (CAF) with 1 million signatures from Lango residents if their demand isn’t met.
This follows the government’s announcement that the stadium, dedicated to Uganda’s first Olympic gold medalist, the late John Akii-Bua, would undergo phased construction but would not be included as an AFCON host venue.
The Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang, disclosed this position. However, the Lango MPs argue that their sub-region has been unfairly excluded from hosting AFCON 2027, depriving them of the associated infrastructure development benefits.
The group not only rejected the government’s decision to exclude Akii Bua stadium but also distanced themselves from the proposal for phased construction. They asserted that the remaining three years were sufficient to meet all CAF requirements.
“The reasons given for the lack of an airport and good roads are unjustifiable since the construction of roads and airports are a function of government which it failed to fulfill in the Lango sub-region despite several calls by its leaders to do so over the years,” the MPs stated.
They also demanded an urgent meeting with the President of Uganda and the First Lady, who also serves as the Minister of Education and Sports, to discuss this matter.
However, Isha Otto Amiza, former Oyam South Member of Parliament and a civil activist, criticized the MPs’ resolutions, suggesting that the group seeks validation from the president.
Following the Confederation of African Football’s decision to award AFCON 2027 hosting rights to the East Africa joint Pamoja bid by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, Uganda committed to six activities, including the construction of two additional stadiums: Akii Bua Stadium (Lira), Buhinga Stadium (Fort Portal), and/or Hoima City Stadium in Hoima to accommodate the tournament.
Source:URN