By URN
Members of Parliament of the Budget Committee want more commitment made on construction of Akii-Bua stadium as one of the stadia the the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The matter was raised while the committee on Tuesday received a report from the chairperson of the Education and Sports committee, John Ntamuhiira on the Budget Framework Paper of the Ministry, for financial year 2024/2025.
Ntamuhiira asked that the Ministry of Finance to commit additional funding of 100 billion Shillings to National Council of Sports, to facilitate construction of Akii-Bua Stadium in Lira and Buhinga stadium in Kabarole.
“The Committee was informed that after failure by government to secure a grant from the Republic of China to construct the two regional stadia, there is need for government to secure funding for their construction,” Ntamuhiira said.
According to the PAMOJA bid where Uganda will co-host the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in 2027 with Kenya and Tanzania, Akii-Bua stadium is listed as one of the stadia to host games.
FUFA stadium in Hoima City is another stadium that will host 2027 AFCON games in Uganda following a presidential directive for its construction for the tournament, to boost Namboole and Nakivubo stadiums in Kampala.
Ntamuhiira recommended that the Finance Ministry commits 380 billion Shillings to National Council of Sports for construction of the stadium in Hoima City.
Paul Omara, the Otuke County MP raised concern that the proposed Akii-Bua stadium has not been given priority in the Ministry budget.
“I want us to have it equivocally decided here that in your proposed budget, Akii-Bua and Hoima will come as stadiums that will be built for AFCON 2027, not relegated as something. And we shall insist on it,” Omara said.
Maxwell Akora, the Maruzi County MP raised concern about the budgeted cost for construction of the 15,000 seater Hoima Stadium estimated at 380 billion Shillings compared to the 30,000 seater Akii-Bua stadium estimated at 180 billion.
“Can you see the anomaly, the inflation? The North has always been marginalized and they used the name Akii-Bua because it sells, to win the PAMOJA bid and after that, they changed their mind. There is a big uproar in Lango, Acholi and West Nile about this decision of government,” Akora said.
He urged government to reconsider its decision on the stadium.
In the report of the Education and Sports Committee, a recommendation was also made for provision of 110 billion for the construction of 11 training grounds for the 2027 AFCON games.
Ntamuhiira also recommended additional funding of 114 billion to cater for for commitment fees under the PAMOJA bid.
“This is necessary for Uganda’s fulfilment of requirements by Confederation of African Football (CAF), to avoid revocation of the AFCON bid,” he added.
