Pece Stadium set for major upgrade ahead of AFCON 2027

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The National Council of Sports (NCS) is set to redevelop Pece Stadium as a training ground ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.

Located in the Laroo Pece Division of Gulu city, the stadium was last renovated in 2017 to host the East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Associations (FEASSSA) games. Since then, its condition has steadily deteriorated, particularly the running track and the football pitch.

During a meeting held on January 6, 2026, at the Gulu District Council hall, NCS officials and Gulu district leaders agreed that NCS would take over the facility and undertake its redevelopment.

Ambrose Tashobya, the NCS chairperson and head of the Infrastructure Management Subcommittee for AFCON 2027, said the stadium would be upgraded into a 1,372-seater facility.

Planned improvements include a modern running track, football and rugby pitches, changing rooms, lighting systems and sanitary facilities, among others.

However, Tashobya clarified that there would be no land swap or compensation for Pece Stadium, despite an earlier appeal by Gulu district chairperson Christopher Opiyo Ateker.

Ateker had proposed that NCS acquire land elsewhere within Gulu district and construct an alternative stadium in exchange for Pece Stadium, which remains a district asset.

The redevelopment of Pece Stadium is part of a broader infrastructure programme linked to AFCON 2027.

The facility will be one of three designated training grounds, alongside fields at Gulu University and Lira University, intended to serve teams playing at Akii Bua Stadium in Lira City, whose construction is progressing well.

Akii Bua Stadium and Hoima City Stadium are part of a wider plan to construct at least ten sports facilities by June 2027 to support AFCON hosting and promote long-term sports development.

For Hoima City Stadium, which was commissioned by President Yoweri Museveni in December last year, additional training and competition grounds will be developed at Hoima Boma Grounds, Masindi Stadium and Sir Tito Winyi Senior Secondary School.

Other facilities under development include Kyambogo University, Makerere University and FUFA Kadiba Stadium, which will support Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.