Auditor General flags issues at Mandela National Stadium, training sites
The Government, through the National Council of Sports (NCS), committed shilliungs 941.22 billion toward building and renovating infrastructure under the joint Kenya-Tanzania-Uganda bid.
Renovation works at Namboole that was closed since September 2025, are set to ramp up imminently, with Turkish firm Summa International handling major upgrades toward a 60,000-capacity venue featuring modern amenities. (File photo)
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Construction and upgrades to key stadiums and training facilities for the East Africa Pamoja co-hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and related events continue to face significant delays.
This is primarily due to funding shortages and slow procurement, according to Uganda's latest Auditor General report for 2024/25.
The Government, through the National Council of Sports (NCS), committed shilliungs 941.22 billion toward building and renovating infrastructure under the joint Kenya-Tanzania-Uganda bid. Requirements include one 45,000-seat stadium, two 30,000-seat venues and at least five fully equipped training grounds to meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.
Auditor General Edward Akol's report presented to Parliament for examination and action highlights findings from physical inspections and CAF's post-event review of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) hosted in 2025 (postponed from original 2024/early 2025 dates due to regional infrastructure concerns). On a positive note, it said Hoima City Stadium was completed ahead of schedule and performed well.
While for Mandela National Stadium (Namboole), the VIP lounges on the first floor lack adequate air conditioning, as the system was under-designed and struggles with crowd-induced heat loads.
Drainage systems at Mandela National Stadium (MNS), Kyambogo University, were found to be insufficient to evacuate heavy rainwater runoff efficiently.
Training annexes and grounds of Mandela National Stadium were facing persistent shortages in essential training equipment throughout CHAN 2024, such as; cones and barriers for tactical drills and spatial coordination, small goalposts for precision exercises and goalkeeper training, rhythmic ladders to support agility and footwork routines, Refrigeration units (fridges) for hydration and medical cooling needs, tactical boards for coaching instructions and match preparation, and massage tables critical for recovery and physiotherapy sessions, among others.
Mutesa II Field: Maintenance falls below standards, with no dedicated pitch team or proper equipment.
Ongoing projects: Akii-Bua Stadium and Mandela National Stadium renovations to full CAF/FIFA standards were targeted for December 2025 completion (though updates indicate Akii-Bua may slip to August 2026).
Mandela National Stadium Annex and Kyambogo University Training Grounds was still work in progress, with no clear completion dates.
The contract for renovation of Mandela National Stadium had not yet been signed.
Akol attributed the setbacks to "slow procurement processes and limited funding."
NCS secretary general Dr Patrick Bernard Ogwel responded that Hoima's early success shows capability, with Akii-Bua on track for August 2026 and Mandela Phase Two nearing contract finalisation.
Renovation works at Namboole that was closed since September 2025, are set to ramp up imminently, with Turkish firm Summa International handling major upgrades toward a 60,000-capacity venue featuring modern amenities.
Akol recommended urgent steps calling for secure additional funding, strengthen project oversight and maintain close CAF coordination to guarantee compliance and readiness for AFCON 2027 – a landmark event for the region following the joint bid's success. With East Africa officially receiving the AFCON 2027 hosting flag in January 2026.
The audit calls for acceleration of efforts and avoid past postponement risks seen with CHAN.