Lawmakers from Lango sub-region have protested the decision by the Government to abandon the construction of Aki-Bua Stadium among stadia to host the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027, on grounds that the region has no roads and airports required to host such a tournament.
Lango MPs have described the move as a breach of contract against the people of Lango sub-region who have been waiting to have the stadium constructed since 2010.
The MPs made the remarks while addressing journalists at Parliament, and in a statement read by Judith Alyek (Kole DWR) who also doubles as Chairperson of Lango Parliamentary Group, they lashed out at Peter Ogwang, Minister of State for Sports for announcing that Aki-Bua Stadium had been struck off the list due to lack of funds and requisite infrastructure required by Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host such a tournament.
They called for an emergency meeting to be held between President Museveni and the leaders from the region to address sentiments brewing within the region of being marginalized from the rest of the country.
Samuel Opio the Kole North legislator also castigated the Government for using Aki-Bua stadium as a ploy to win the AFCON bid, but later abandoned the project after securing their interests.
They wondered why the aspirations of the 2.5million 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 the closure of businesses in downtown Kampala.
However, during today’s plenary sitting, the speaker of parliament Anita Annet Among called for calm from Lango MPs noting that such backlash can influence CAF to have a second thought on Uganda.
The minister of ICT and National Guidance Dr. Chris Baryomunsi assured the house that the government has a big plan to construct sports facilities in several regions
