By Allen Nantayi
The National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U) says the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure at Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City is nearing completion, expressing confidence that the installations will meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) requirements ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
According to the Uganda radio network, the authority, which is part of the technical team supervising the installation and integration of the stadium’s ICT systems, confirmed that most of the technological installations are in place, with the remaining work largely involving testing and final adjustments.
However, the final assessment of the facility’s compliance with CAF requirements will depend on inspections by the continental football governing body and trial matches to establish whether the systems can function effectively under actual match-day conditions.
Michael Lisson Binyera, NITA-U’s ICT Supervisor for Design and Implementation, says the authority has been involved in reviewing technical designs, supervising implementation and testing the systems to ensure they meet the required standards.
Uganda will co-host the Africa cup of nations next year alongside Kenya and Tanzania. Akii Bua stadium is an alternative matchday venue for Uganda in case of eventualities in the other co-host nations. Uganda already confirmed Namboole stadium and Hoima City as the venue venues.
Akii Bua Olympic stadium is a 20,000-seater multi-purpose international stadium featuring a GrassMaster hybrid pitch, an eight-lane athletics track, VIP boxes, a 25-meter semi-Olympic swimming pool, an indoor arena, training fields, and a 60-bed athlete hostel.
Built by Egypt’s SAMCO National construction company and Khater Sports at a cost of $129 million, the main structural framework, spectators’ seating, roof trusses, and the pitch installation are largely finished. Surrounding landscaping, interior finishing (such as doors), and local access roads are ongoing.
