Lira, Uganda: The Ankole Times has reliably learned that there will be a peaceful meeting at Akii-Bua Stadium, Lira, on January 22, 2024. Hon. Sarah Awor Angweri, the workers’ representative in Lira City Council, who also serves as the secretary for Team Build Akii-Bua for AFCON 2027, has disclosed this information and issued a statement to the media regarding the construction of the Akii-Bua Stadium meeting that will take place next week.
The Ankole Times newspaper has obtained a copy of the letter of invitation to the Won-Nyaci written on January 9, 2024, and copied to the Speaker of Lango Cultural Institution, politicians, among others.
According to her statement to the media, Lango and the entire Northern Uganda are requesting that Akii-Bua Stadium construction be reconsidered and included among other stadia in the budget for the 2024/2025 financial year. This was revealed by Hon. Sarah Awor Angweri in a press briefing held at Valley Resort Hotel in Lira City on Monday.
She urged that the Lango region has to benefit from AFCON 2027 just like other regions if the Ministry of Education and Sports were really considerate enough. Hon. Sarah told the media that they are in touch with some people she did not name to ensure the invitation reaches the State Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Minister Peter Ogwang, to come that day himself to interact and hear from the people of Lango.
Attempts to confirm from the State Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, if he is aware of the move were futile, as our repeated phone calls to him went unanswered. Awor added that the Ministry of Education and Sports should consider building Akii-Bua Stadium as a key priority in their budget for the financial year 2024/2025, and if possible, it should appear in the policy document for this financial year.
Meanwhile, Team Build Akii-Bua for AFCON 2027 has called upon the Lango community from all over the region and other areas to attend a meeting scheduled to take place at Akii-Bua Stadium site on January 22, 2024, where they also expect several dignitaries to attend, including cultural leaders, religious leaders, Lango Parliamentary group, business communities, local politicians, among others, to discuss a way forward on the issue of Akii-Bua Stadium, with a formal report expected from Minister Ogwang Peter and MPs from Lango region to the people of Lango.
Efforts to talk to Hon. Judith Alyek, the chairperson of the Lango parliamentary group, were futile, as she did not pick up our repeated phone calls.
Awor added that there will also be a report from the Chairman of Team Build Akii-Bua Stadium, Mr. Issa Otoo Amiza, reports from the chairperson of Lango parliamentary group, Hon. Judith Alyek, on the position of parliament as the matter was resolved in parliament. “We shall also hear the position of the people of Lango gathered that day, and finally from His Highness, Won Nyaci Yosam Odur, who will give the final submission. From the meeting, we shall draw concrete resolutions to address the government as a position from the people of Lango,” said Awor.
“Above all, we request the government to honor the East African Pamoja bid and the resolutions of parliament on the construction of Akii-Bua for AFCON 2027.”
Finally, Awor thanked Lango for the continued efforts to demand Akii-Bua Stadium as the struggle continues and implored all the people of Lango sub-region to be united as they wait for the official resolutions of the people of Lango on the 22nd of January 2024, meeting and any other communications from the government of Uganda on the matter.
Hon. Sarah Awor Angweri, Gen Sec, Team Build Akii-Bua for AFCON 2027.
His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, Gen. Yoweri Museveni Kaguta, while addressing the nation recently, made his position clear on the issue of Akii-Bua Stadium construction.
