Lira Leaders Mount Pressure On Delayed Implementation Of Akii-Bua Stadium Access Roads Network Project

Lira City Leaders Mount Pressure As Akii-Bua Stadium Access Roads Works Is Reportedly Halts 

LIRA CITY, Uganda — Political and civic leaders in northern Uganda's Lira City have called on the Ugandan government to clarify reports that construction of access roads to the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium has been delayed or suspended, warning that the flagship sports facility could fail to achieve its intended economic and social impact without the supporting infrastructure.

The appeal comes as construction of the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium continues and is expected to be completed and handed over later this year. The stadium, named after Uganda's 1972 Olympic gold medalist John Akii-Bua, is widely viewed as a landmark investment expected to boost sports development, tourism, business, and employment opportunities across the Lango sub-region.

City leaders say the stadium project was originally expected to include the upgrading of approximately 18.3 kilometres of access roads linking the facility to major parts of Lira City. However, recent reports suggesting that the road component may have been dropped have raised concern among local authorities.

The Lira City Council and the Lira City Development Forum have formally written to the Ministry of Education and Sports seeking clarification on whether the planned road network will be implemented.

Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, the President of the Lira City Development Forum, Emmanuel Akeny , accompanied by Lira City Mayor Sam Atul, said they had received information indicating that SAMCO Construction Company , the contractor constructing the stadium, may no longer be responsible for upgrading the planned access roads.

"We have received worrying reports that the access roads may not be constructed. A modern sports facility requires quality road infrastructure to enable athletes, spectators, emergency services and investors to access it efficiently," Akeny said.

He urged the government to reconsider any decision to suspend the road project, arguing that the stadium and its supporting infrastructure should be completed simultaneously.

According to Akeny, leaders from the Lango sub-region will continue engaging the relevant government ministries until a clear position is communicated.

"We shall continue advocating for the construction of these roads because they are essential to the success of the Akii-Bua Stadium project and the development of Lira City," he said.

Akeny noted that most of the proposed roads are located in Lira City East Division and were not included under other urban infrastructure programmes because local authorities expected them to be delivered as part of the stadium project.

He also cited the government's development of access roads to Hoima City Stadium as an example of integrated infrastructure planning, saying Lira deserves similar consideration.

The civic leader further argued that failure to construct the roads would undermine Uganda's commitment to Vision 2040, theFourth National Development Plan (NDP IV) and Sustainable Development Goal 9, which promotes resilient infrastructure, industrialisation and innovation.

As people of Lira City, we prayed that the intensified 18.3 raods be rensiate and completed so that the entire complex be handed over together with Raods .

We demand a comprehensive report of the access road to Akiibua 

Mayor Sam Atul welcomed the progress made on the stadium itself, describing it as one of the most significant public investments in northern Uganda in recent years.

"The stadium is progressing well and we appreciate the government's commitment. However, access roads are equally important because they determine how effectively the facility can serve the public once completed," Atul said.

The mayor revealed that the City Council had engaged the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Ministry of Education and Sports, and the National Council of Sports seeking clarification on the status of the roads but had not yet received an official response.

He added that city leaders had previously been informally informed that the road project could be reduced from the planned 18.3 kilometres to 10.5 kilometres, although no formal communication has been issued.

Atul appealed to the government to prioritise the upgrading of Won-Nyaci Road the principal access route linking Obote Avenue, Lango Cultural Centre and the stadium, while also considering expanding the contractor's scope to include the full road network before the facility is commissioned.

According to the Lira City Development Forum, the roads earmarked for upgrading was Ireda Shamba (2.1 km), Lumumba-Ogengo (2.5 km), Boroboro (5.2 km), James Ajal (2.5 km), Won-Nyaci (1.7 km), Erute (1.7 km), Dokolo (0.5 km), Moroto (1.5 km), and GAPCO-Odokomit (1.5 km)

The forum argues that completing the road network alongside the stadium would improve traffic flow, enhance public safety, attract private investment and maximise the economic benefits expected from the multi-billion-shilling sports complex.

The leaders have called on the Ugandan government to issue an official statement clarifying the implementation plan and to ensure that the supporting road infrastructure is completed before the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium is officially commissioned.