A section of Members of Parliament from Lango sub-region have protested the decision by the government to abandon construction of Akii-Bua Stadium because the region has no roads & airport required to host AFCON 2027, describing the move as a breach of contract against the people of Lango sub-region despite supporting NRM in the general elections.
Judith Alyek (Kole DWR) lashed out at Peter Ogwang, Minister of State for Sports for backing out of the earlier promise to construct Akii-Bua Stadium to host AFCON, saying such a decision is malicious and demanded for a meeting to be held between the MPs and the President.
“The reasons being given for lack of an airport and good roads are unjustifiable since construction of roads is a function of Government which it failed to fulfill in Lango Sub-region despite several calls to do so over the years. Even then, the remaining 3years are sufficient to meet this requirement,” Alyek said.
Samuel Opio (Kole North) described the abandonment of the construction of Aki-Bua stadium as breach of contract against the 2.5million people of Lango sub-region & questioned Uganda’s preparedness to host AFCON if Gov’t has abandoned construction of Aki-Bua stadium because it has no funds for such an investment.
“Government has claimed that they don’t have funds to construct, but in the bid they submitted, they said that they will secure all the funds that are required to construct the stadia, develop the infrastructure and to ensure the successful delivery of the AFCON games. If the Government is saying they don’t have the money, then they have breached the commitment that they made to CAF and we begin to ask ourselves if we are really serious about hosting AFCON in 2027,” Opio said.
Tony Ayoo (Kwania County) wondered why the aspirations of the 2.5 million people in Lango sub-region should be sidelined in preference for Hamis Kiggundu, who has fronted Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium, yet his premises are so squeezed and could force closure of businesses downtown Kampala.
“Nakivubo is in the central business district, so squeezed safety and security is going to demand a lot of from the country, there are lock-up shops that are all over the stadium and that will mean you need to evacuate all those people, you need to block the road every day, disorganized people’s businesses and I don’t think CAF will accept this kind of situation,” said Ayoo.
Paul Omara (Otuke County) said if the decision to leave out Aki-Bua is maintained, Lango Sub-region will miss out on the chance to develop its infrastructure having remained lowest in Uganda at just 3% of paved roads.
“We only have 3% of paved roads and it is the lowest in the country. An investment of Aki-Bua nature was for us an investment journey that would augment development in the Lango sub-region and this is a commitment that was made. The people of Lango are asking, why is it that every time, we as people have to fight to get what is duly ours?” remarked Omara.
