The Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium project in Lira City is gaining momentum as SAMCO National Construction Company pushes hard to meet the deadline. With about 10 percent progress so far, SAMCO aims to deliver the stadium ahead of schedule despite initial delays. This state-of-the-art stadium, contracted at $129.74 million, will boost sports infrastructure in northern Uganda and honor Olympic legend John Akii-Bua.
SAMCO began work on the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium after receiving a 20.7% advance payment in May 2025. The company has fully mobilized the site, completed 85 percent of earthworks, and installed 437 of the 872 reinforced piles. They have reached 12 percent completion of reinforced concrete columns and finished 22 percent of the footings. SAMCO currently employs 300 workers on-site and plans to expand this to 1,000 as construction intensifies. To speed up progress, they partnered with 30 subcontractors and mobilized 60 percent of their equipment, with more arriving from Egypt.
The project manager, Eng Mohammed Nazih, says the team is committed to beating the official deadline of February 2, 2027. Moreover, the company plans to introduce day and night shifts to maintain momentum. Female workers already make up 23 percent of the workforce, and they plan to increase this to 30 percent to promote gender inclusion in construction.
Once completed, the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium will feature a 20,000-seat main arena complete with an athletics track. The complex will also include a training facility with multiple changing rooms and a 2,000-seat indoor multi-sport arena. Other amenities include a 25-meter semi-Olympic swimming pool and courts for basketball, netball, volleyball, and badminton. The site will offer parking for 1,000 vehicles and include roads, utilities, and ICT systems fully integrated.
The stadium’s infrastructure will also include a sewerage treatment plant, perimeter fencing, landscaping, and a comprehensive security system. Additional buildings consist of a furnished operations clubhouse, a 60-room hostel, and five sports pitches. To reduce operational costs, the project will rely on a borehole for sustainable water supply.
President Yoweri Museveni officially flagged off the project in January 2025 and explained that delays arose from prioritizing national survival needs, not neglect. He reassured Ugandans that completing the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium remains a key national goal.
First Lady and Education Minister Janet Museveni echoed this commitment, highlighting sports infrastructure development as a government priority. The stadium reflects Uganda’s dedication to nurturing sports talent and infrastructure in all regions, especially northern Uganda.
State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang stressed the stadium’s political and social importance, stating that the project has significantly boosted local morale. “Forget Namboole and Hoima—Akii-Bua Stadium will be Uganda’s finest,” he said. Officials also plan to build a modern training facility at Lira University to complement the stadium.
The stadium honors John Akii-Bua, Uganda’s first Olympic gold medalist, who won the 400m hurdles at the 1972 Munich Olympics while setting a world record. Akii-Bua’s legacy symbolizes excellence and resilience in Ugandan sports. This stadium project not only improves sports facilities but also preserves and celebrates his historic achievement.
This development inspires future generations and places northern Uganda on the sporting map, reinforcing the government’s pledge to support athletes nationwide.
For more information on Uganda’s sports infrastructure development, visit Uganda Ministry of Sports and learn about related projects here.
