Government approves sh905b for AFCON 2027 preparations in Uganda

The Ugandan government has approved an additional sh905 billion to meet critical intersectoral funding and administrative requirements for AFCON 2027 preparations in the country.

This follows the inauguration of an Inter-Sectoral Steering Forum as a collaborative body to support the Local Organising Committee (LOC) in co-hosting the tournament. The forum brings together more than twenty overarching entities, including representation from the private sector and FUFA.

According to Dr. Dennis Mugimba, chairperson of the communications and signage sub-committee, co-hosting a continental sports event of the magnitude of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is a complex operation that neither a single sector nor entity can execute alone. He explained that the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development is tasked with allocating and ring-fencing funds to ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) with qualified AFCON 2027 interventions. Some of these interventions require funds to commence implementation between March and June 2026, before the new financial year starts in July 2026.

Hotel upgrades

Sh101 billion is being set aside by the government for the upgrading of select hotels in Hoima and Masindi and for the construction of a hotel to serve Kabalega International Airport. This shall be accessed through a special credit facility for the private sector under the Uganda Development Bank (UDB).

Road upgrades and pedestrian walkways

Another sh213.76 billion shall be allocated for upgrading at least 47.53 kilometres of select roads around Hoima City Stadium (29.5 km) and Namboole Stadium (14.83 km), as well as Kinawataka Road (3.2 km). An additional 8.8 kilometres of pedestrian walkways and streetlighting will be constructed on select roads for the safety and security of fans.

Airport development

Establishing a passenger terminal at Kabalega Airport and operationalising the facility as an international airport will take sh184.9 billion.

Football Federation and team preparations

Sh17.7 billion shall be allocated to FUFA for the upgrade of FUFA Kadiba Stadium as a training facility for AFCON 2027, as well as sh12.55 billion for the implementation of various interventions aimed at preparing the Uganda Cranes team for the tournament.

Local Organising Committee

Another sh109.9 billion shall be allocated to the AFCON 2027 Local Organising Committee to implement various tournament-specific preparations across its thirteen subcommittees.

These subcommittees are responsible for tournament and guest safety and security, host city and country branding, guest hospitality, football team services, spectator services, medical and anti-doping readiness, workforce and volunteers, communication and in-stadia media operations, marketing, plus preparations for hosting either the opening or closing ceremony for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027.

Stadium upgrades

The remodelling and upgrade of Namboole Stadium will take sh56.2 billion, bringing the total allocation for Namboole Phase 2 development to sh248.6 billion. The remaining funds are available in the current financial year.

ICT infrastructure

Sh6.44 billion is to be allocated for the deployment and improvement of ICT infrastructure to support AFCON 2027 facilities, namely airports, hotels, stadia, training facilities, and hospitals.

Healthcare upgrades

Sh91.05 billion is being committed to the upgrade of Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, Masindi General Hospital, and Buseruka Health Centre III to a capacity where they can handle ICU, accident and emergency care, among other requirements as per CAF standards.

Sanitation and Environmental Hygiene

Another sh13.75 billion will be allocated to Hoima City (sh6.55 billion), Masindi Municipality (sh5.1 billion), and Kira Municipality (sh2.1 billion) towards the improvement of sanitation and environmental hygiene services during the tournament.

Meteorological Services and Water Grid

The upgrade of aeronautical meteorological services support to Kabalega and Entebbe International Airports will cost sh3.39 billion, with sh6.25 billion allocated for upgrading the water grid capacity in Hoima City to serve the upcoming AFCON 2027 facilities.

Railway and Electricity

The upgrade and maintenance of the railway central terminal, Kampala-Mukono line, Namanve Station, and Namboole Halt will consume sh23.33 billion, while sh4.69 billion will be allocated for the establishment of dedicated electricity lines to facilities that support AFCON 2027, namely Kabalega International Airport, Hoima City Stadium, Hoima Boma Training Facility, Masindi Municipal Training Facility, and Sir Tito Winyi Secondary School Training Facility.

Destination Marketing and Visa Waivers

The government will also commit sh37.85 billion to market and promote Destination Uganda as a leverage of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027 tournament brand. The government has also committed to waiving visa fees for all visitors to Uganda for at least three months, starting one month prior to the kick-off of AFCON 2027 and continuing for one month after the final match.

PAMOJA Visa

To facilitate the ease of movement for fans and guests during the tournament, the government is committed to pursuing the option of a special-purpose joint PAMOJA visa with Kenya and Tanzania. Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania will jointly host the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027 tournament.

Tournament Dates and Venues

The event will take place from June 19 to July 18, 2027. Uganda will provide two main stadiums: Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, and Hoima City Stadium in Hoima City.

Economic opportunity

Dr. Dennis Mugimba explained that the successful co-hosting of such a massive sports event requires a whole-of-country approach, meaning that citizens, government, civil society, and the private sector must all rise to a greater sense of common mission regarding AFCON 2027.

He added, "As the LOC, we see immense opportunities that come with Uganda co-hosting such a sports tournament. For example, if each visitor spends at least $1,000 during their stay in Uganda, that could potentially be $500 million at a minimum spent in the local economy during the tournament. So, the big question is how the private sector, the government, and the ordinary citizen can position themselves to tap into this newfound AFCON 2027 economy."

Critical Inter-Sectoral funding AFCON 2027 budget

Hotels in Hoima and Masindi: sh101b

Selected Roads: sh213.76b

Passenger terminal: 184.9b

Kadiba stadium: 17.7b

Crane's preparations: $12.55b

AFCON LOC: sh109.9b

Namboole upgrade: 56.2b

ICT Infrastructure: sh6.44

Hospital upgrades: 91.05b

Sanitation & Environment: sh13.75

Municipality Upgrades: sh13.75

Aeronautic services: sh3.39b

Water grid capacity: sh6.25b

Railway line maintenance: sh23.33

Electricity lines: sh4.69b

Destination Uganda: sh37.85b