Uganda makes AFCON 2027 stadium promise

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Uganda’s Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has promised that the country’s stadiums that will host 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) games will be ready by the start of June next year.

She told Parliament’s plenary session on Wednesday (April 1) that Cabinet had discussed the Confederation of African Football (CAF) report, which highlighted several compliance gaps in the stadiums earmarked for the tournament.

“Cabinet discussed the report, and we have put in place [measures to fulfill] all the necessary requirements to have Uganda co-host the tournament,” she said.

PM Nabbanja interacting with Denis Hamson Obua. (Credit: Miriam Namutebi)

Nabbanja thanked the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, for raising the issue about Uganda’s readiness to co-host the tournament with Kenya and Tanzania from June 19 to July 18, 2027.

“I want to thank my brother for raising such a pertinent issue. The fact is, we are going to be more than ready because those remaining gaps will be bridged within this period; between now and when AFCON will take place next year,” she said.

However, when Ssenyonyi took to the floor again, saying the Prime Minister’s answers were unsatisfactory, Nabbanja said: “Let us have a detailed report to allay fears of my brother.”

Chairing the session, the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, then ruled that “we should have that report on the floor [of Parliament] on April 15 [2026)” when the House’s next meeting will be held.

During the session, MPs presented matters of national importance affecting various parts of the country.

The East Africa Pamoja consortium, comprising Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, was in September 2023 awarded the privilege of hosting Africa's flagship football tournament after submitting a joint bid to CAF.

The three neighbouring countries beat other contenders such as South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, and Senegal.

According to CAF’s stipulations, the minimum requirement for hosting the tournament is to provide six stadiums to accommodate the 24 participating teams.

Among these stadiums, two must have a seating capacity of 40,000, two with a capacity of 20,000, and two with a capacity of 15,000.

Uganda will primarily utilize the renovated Mandela National Stadium aka Namboole Stadium in Kampala and Hoima City Stadium.

While Hoima Stadium is complete, recent inspections indicate both it and Namboole require further upgrades to meet strict CAF Category Four standards, including improved seating, lighting, and access.

Museveni’s directive

In February 2024, President Yoweri Museveni directed sports state minister Peter Ogwang to evaluate the different training fields and amenities for their suitability for use during the AFCON.

The facilities were selected considering the state of available facilities and proximity to the main playing fields.

They include Namboole Training Grounds, Kyambogo University football field, Muteesa 2 Stadium-Wankulukuku and Makerere University football field.

The proposed training fields near Nakivubo Stadium are Stadium Lugogo, Makindye Military Officers MESS Grounds, Old Kampala Secondary School Grounds, and Kadiba Stadium.