Uganda positioned to benefit from FIFA’s $1bn global stadium fund

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Uganda is in the middle of a sports infrastructure boom, and that momentum could grow further following a historic agreement between the world football governing body FIFA and Saudi Arabia.

Uganda stands to benefit from a $1 billion fund in concessional loans that will be allocated by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) to finance the construction or enhancement of FIFA-certified stadiums and essential surrounding infrastructure, according to a FIFA statement issued after the signing of the agreement last week.

Uganda’s infrastructure has been improving, but the country still clearly fits the category of developing nations, which are the main target of the fund.

The Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, has been upgraded and is set for further improvements after the Africa football governing body CAF recommended additional work on the VIP suite.

These upgrades will be undertaken by Summa, which is already well known locally after completing Hoima City Stadium in record time. Summa set a 15-month construction timeline, considered impressive at the outset, but the Turkish firm finished the project two months ahead of schedule.

The national portfolio will soon include the John Akii Bua Stadium in Lira, with Egyptian firm SAMCO expected to complete construction by December 2026.

For Uganda, which was hosting CAF qualifiers outside the country as recently as two years ago, having three world-standard stadiums in such a short period is remarkable. However, the number remains small for a national sport with a history stretching back more than a century.

More investment is required, and efforts to access the new SFD fund would be welcome.

FIFA explained, “This partnership seeks to support national governments in designing, financing, and building modern multi-sport venues that meet international standards and serve as hubs for community life, education, and inclusion.

“The new facilities will create jobs, stimulate local businesses, and strengthen social cohesion by giving young people safe and modern spaces to convene, train and compete.”

It is a window of opportunity that could add further support to Uganda’s growing but still underdeveloped sports infrastructure.