By Allen Nantayi
The parliamentary committee on education last week visited sports infrastructure being undertaken by the UPDF, especially those attached to hosting AFCON 2027.
While legislators commended the work done at Hoima City and Akii Bua stadiums, there were concerns over the speed under which the training facilities are being constructed especially in Gulu and Lira.
Following a stakeholder engagement at the Hoima City stadium, the state minister for sports Peter Ogwang has moved to ask the minister of defense to have the UPDF Engineering brigade supervisor of Pece, Gulu and Lira training grounds changed.
The committee also visited Bunyoro AFCON training facilities, starting with King George stadium in Masindi, Sir Tinyi stadium in Hoima and Booma grounds in Hoima city.
The legislators were equally not impressed with the works at the training grounds.
The minister informed the committee that the president directed UPDF to ensure that all the facilities are ready by this year, with the exception of FUFA Kadiba and Sir Tito Winyi where there was delay.
Ogwang is however concerned with a group of leaders in Hoima who are misleading the community to seek compensation for the land attached to AFCON roads.
He said that CAF has also earmarked Akii Bua as an alternative venue for AFCON, adding to the confirmed Namboole and Hoima city stadiums.
After delayed loan facility to the Bunyoro hoteliers, Ogwang says that the present has already directed Uganda development bank and the ministry of finance to release the said funds.
National council of sports secretary general Dr. Bernard Ogwel said that they have received funds to maintain stadiums and also recruit staff.
Uganda is set to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with Kenya and Tanzania.
