Uganda's Akii-Bua Stadium Nears Completion, Meets CAF Technology Standards

The National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U) has announced that the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure at Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City is nearing completion. The authority, part of the technical team supervising the installation and integration of the stadium's ICT systems, is confident that the installations will meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) requirements ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

According to NITA-U's ICT Supervisor for Design and Implementation, Michael Lisson Binyera, the authority has been involved in reviewing technical designs, supervising implementation, and testing the systems to ensure they meet the required standards. The team is currently conducting audio-visual tests, with most installations completed. Binyera describes Akii-Bua as a smart stadium designed around an integrated and resilient network that allows different technological systems to communicate and operate together.

The installations at Akii-Bua include sound systems, video displays, internet connectivity, communication infrastructure, and venue management technologies, allowing operators to monitor and coordinate activities without necessarily being physically present at every operational point. The systems have been designed to support remote management, allowing operators to monitor activities and control different functions from outside the facility, according to ICT Lead Supervisor Patrick Okoth.

NITA-U's ICT Supervisor for Automation and Services, Madeleine Wiltshire Mugisa, says the authority's work has focused on ensuring that the various installations function as an integrated system rather than as separate technological components. A modern stadium requires more than screens, speakers, servers, and internet access points; it also needs software systems capable of coordinating different operations, including building management, Video Assistant Referee (VAR), audio-visual services, and other match-day activities.

The systems are expected to support referees, doping control personnel, broadcasters, and other technical teams during international competitions. Mugisa says NITA-U has worked with SAMCO National Construction Company and other government agencies to ensure that the infrastructure can support both the 2027 AFCON tournament and the stadium's future operations. The team is now awaiting CAF technical inspectors to assess the facility, alongside trial matches that will provide an opportunity to test the systems under actual match conditions.

The 470-billion-shilling Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium is among the major infrastructure investments being undertaken as Uganda prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Kenya and Tanzania. Beyond providing a venue for international football, the stadium is expected to offer broadcasting, sporting, and entertainment infrastructure, potentially positioning Lira City and the wider Lango sub-region as an important destination for major sporting events.

NITA-U says it is confident that the technological installations will satisfy CAF's expectations and establish Akii-Bua among Uganda's most technologically advanced sporting facilities. However, the stadium's readiness will ultimately depend on the assessment of the relevant CAF technical teams and the successful testing of its various facilities, including the ICT systems that NITA-U is supervising.

Key points

• The National Information Technology Authority-Uganda (NITA-U) is supervising the installation and integration of ICT systems at Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium.
• The stadium's ICT infrastructure is nearing completion and is expected to meet CAF requirements for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
• The 470-billion-shilling Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium is a major infrastructure investment in Uganda's preparations to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.