Akii Bua Memorial Stadium

The ground sits in the **Erute** area of **Lira**, where a 45-acre plot once held the **John Akii Bua Playground**. The site has been reclaimed for a new purpose. The Government of Uganda commissioned the work, awarding the contract to a joint venture between the Egyptian firm **SAMCO** and **Khater Sport**. The design comes from **ElRaeid Engineering Consultants**.

President **Yoweri Museveni** presided over the groundbreaking, marking the start of a project expected to take 20 months. The target is an opening in late 2026 or 2027, timed for the **AFCON** 2027 tournament. The structure is designed to hold 20,000 spectators. It will feature a **GrassMaster** hybrid surface, mixing natural grass with synthetic fibers, alongside a synthetic athletics track.

There is no existing stadium with this specific name in **Kampala**; the title is exclusively associated with this new **Lira** project. While **Pece Stadium** in **Gulu** has occasionally been referred to as 'Akii-Bua Stadium' in some local contexts, it is a distinct, operational venue with a different history. The new facility aims to be Olympic-standard.

The work is underway.