Uganda's readiness to host CHAN 2024 gains pace

Uganda’s preparations to co-host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 tournament with Kenya and Tanzania have gained momentum.

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for CHAN-2024 and AFCON-2027, chaired by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Mrs. Janet Museveni, on Thursday  June 26th  held a meeting to review the progress and readiness of the country to co-host the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 tournament set to kick off on 02nd August 2025.

Several government officials attended the meeting held at State House Nakasero. They included: the Attorney General  Kiryowa Kiwanuka, the Minister of State for Sports Peter Ogwang, who is also the Co-Chairperson of the LOC, the President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA);Moses Magogo the Vice Chairperson of the LOC, the Chairman National Council of Sports; Mr. Ambrose Tashobya and the National Council of Sports General Secretary;  Dr. Patrick Ogwel plus representatives from the 13 sub-committees of the LOC.

A view Namboole Stadium playing surface

A release from the ministry states that Mrs.  Museveni commended members of the LOC for their unwavering commitment to ensure that the two prestigious continental football tournaments are successful.

At the same meeting, she announced the establishment of the LOC Secretariat aimed at streamlining operations.  The  Secretariat     headed  by Mr. Michael Aliyo,as the Chief Executive Officer of the Secretariat  is expected to start work on 01st July 2025.

Mrs. Museveni assured members of the LOC that following President Yoweri Museveni’s intervention, the CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe has reiterated that Uganda will manage and fully utilize  the US $ 13 million paid to CAF   toward the  CHAN-2024 Operations Budget.  

She revealed that  President Museveni assured  Dr. Motsepe that the Accounting Officer of Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports’ will approve all expenditures financed by public funds towards CHAN-2024 and AFCON-2027 operations.

“We now have clarity that the USD 13 million Uganda contributed towards the PAMOJA Budget for CHAN-2024 Operations will be utilized right here in Uganda, managed, and accounted for by our own Ministry,” said Mrs. Janet Museveni. “With this confirmation, we move from planning to implementation,” she affirmed.

Mrs. Museveni also informed the meeting that to reduce operational costs for CHAN-2024, Uganda  will use the government fleet of vehicles used during the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and G-77 Summits as opposed to procuring either new or hiring other vehicle fleets.

The LOC members expressed great delight at the intervention by H.E. the President in reinstating the USD 13 million to cover CAF’s obligations and the LOC’s Operational expenses for CHAN-2024 in Uganda. This position not only unlocks the much-needed critical financial resources for the tournament preparations but also restored hope across all the LOC sub-committees.

Previously, a consolidated “Pamoja Budget” for CHAN-2024 Operations arrangement had seen US$ 7.7 million from Uganda’s CHAN-2024 Operations budget of US$ 13 million re-purposed to offset CHAN operational expense shortfalls outside Uganda. This left had the Ugandan LOC severely constrained financially.

According to the First Lady's office reports presented during the meeting showed  positive progressive reports:

Mandela National Stadium which was reported at 95% ready.
Training grounds nearing completion are: FUFA Stadium, Kadiba  located in Mengo,  Kampala International School in Uganda (KISU), Mandela National Stadium Annex, Kyambogo University, and Muteesa-II Stadium Wankulukuku.

The LOC has secured bedspace, ambulances, and medical and emergency coverage partnerships with Mulago National Referral Hospital, Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital as well as Kisubi and Nakasero hospitals.

It was also reported that ICT upgrades including fiber connectivity and stadium network systems are near completion.

Meanwhile,  recruitment of more than 500 Volunteers to assist during the CHAN-2024 one-month long tournament is underway.

Additionally,  CAF-guided accreditation of in-stadium security and safety stewards as well as local and foreign journalists, reporters, and photographers to cover the event is underway with full engagement of the relevant Security Agencies of the government.

 The meeting was also informed that  several resource-intensive LOC undertakings such as the publicity and communications as well as the host-city branding strategies  had been delayed  due to the financing impasse that has now been resolved following the intervention of  President    Museveni.

The LOC also submitted a request for an additional Shs. 8 billion to fund the opening ceremony for Uganda’s first CHAN-2024 match and the third-place playoff game which the country is hosting. The official opening ceremony for CHAN-2024 shall be hosted by Tanzania whereas Kenya hosts the final.

First Lady Janet Museveni assured the LOC that with the questions surrounding the USD 13 million now answered, the only funds that the government shall be looking for towards CHAN-2024 preparations is the UShs. 8 billion for the local opening ceremony and the tournament’s third-place playoff match.

“We now appeal for supplementary support to deliver a befitting opening experience and ensure Uganda shines on the continental stage,” said Peter Ogwang, Minister of State for Sports.

He also revealed that  Government  had released  all funds requested by FUFA to prepare the national team for CHAN-2024.

In its status update, the LOC revealed that the set of items to complete the Pamoja branding of the TotalEnergies CHAN-2024 tournament such as the mascot and theme song are being finalized and shall soon be released. The official Pamoja theme song for CHAN-2024 will feature artistes Bensoul (Kenya), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), and a Uganda yet to be selected by the LOC.

The LOC members thanked Mrs. Janet Museveni for her leadership and renewed their commitment to accelerate implementation and ensure readiness ahead of kickoff and deliver a successful tournament.