Lira, Uganda | The Paramount Chief of Lango, His Royal Highness Eng. Dr. Michael Moses Odongo Okune, has praised the Government of Uganda under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for financing the construction of the John Akii Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira District, describing it as a historic investment that will transform sports and development in the Lango subregion.
Odongo Okune made the remarks on Thursday, 30 October 2025, during an inspection of the ongoing construction works at the stadium site.
He was accompanied by officials from the National Council of Sports (NCS) and a number of Lango clan leaders.
The Paramount Chief expressed his appreciation to the government for honouring Uganda’s Olympic gold medallist, John Akii Bua, by naming the new facility after him.
He noted that the Akii Bua Stadium represented not only a sporting facility but also a symbol of national pride and unity.
Odongo further stressed the need for the Lango community to maintain a close working relationship with the central government in order to attract more development projects to the region.
He observed that other regions that have collaborated closely with the government had achieved significant progress and that Lango should pursue a similar path.
In his address, the Paramount Chief also called on young footballers and athletes from Lango to prepare to utilize the stadium once completed.
He said the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Uganda will co-host, would provide an opportunity for the youth to develop their talents and honour Akii Bua’s legacy through sporting excellence.
According to Dr. Bernard Patrick Ogwel, Secretary General of the National Council of Sports, construction of the stadium has reached 32% completion, with steady progress being made despite occasional setbacks caused by heavy rainfall.
The project, valued at UGX 470 billion, is being undertaken by SAMCO Construction Company Limited.
Ogwel stated that all the necessary funds for the project had already been secured by the government, ensuring that construction would proceed without financial delays.
He added that the facility, designed to accommodate 20,000 spectators, would host both indoor and outdoor events and was expected to be completed before the AFCON 2027 tournament.
He further indicated that plans were underway to erect a memorial in honour of John Akii Bua, and that the stadium would be inaugurated by President Museveni together with the Lango Paramount Chief before being officially opened for public use.
The project has provided employment to 1,093 workers, of whom about 80% are natives of Lango, giving local residents both job opportunities and technical skills development.
During the same visit, Moses Anyii Omara, a board member of the National Council of Sports, urged the Paramount Chief to continue engaging local leaders and residents to resolve any land-related issues around the project peacefully.
He also encouraged community support for the proposed construction of an airport near the stadium, noting that it would promote tourism, sports, and economic growth in the Lango sub-region.
The inspection marked a major milestone in Lango’s preparation for hosting part of the AFCON 2027 games. Once completed, the John Akii Bua Olympic Stadium is expected to stand as a lasting tribute to Uganda’s first Olympic gold medallist and a catalyst for socio-economic transformation in northern Uganda.