In an unexpected turn for Uganda’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) preparations, a Confederation of African Football (CAF) inspection report has revealed “significant operational and structural deficiencies” at the newly inaugurated Hoima City Stadium. This development comes just months after the facility was celebrated for being completed five months ahead of schedule.
Following a visit to the three co-host nations—Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania—last February, the report noted that while the stadium is “completed and operational,” it currently fails to meet the stringent CAF Category Four requirements necessary for hosting elite continental tournaments.
Details of the report, as seen by the Daily Monitor, indicate that inspectors identified several critical layout obstacles. Primary concerns include the positioning of the team benches, which obstructs the view for spectators in the lower stands, a lack of clear segregation between general admission and VIP sections, and a media gallery that accommodates only 20 journalists—well below AFCON standards.
Furthermore, the report highlighted that the “Mixed Zone,” where players and media interact, is incorrectly located within the competition area. CAF has also called for urgent upgrades to the players’ and referees’ dressing rooms, as well as the match officials’ areas.
In response to the leaked findings, State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang strongly disputed the claims on social media. The Minister insisted that the stadium remains a “five-star” facility, asserting it meets European standards and is among the best on the African continent.
“If a report is to be released, it comes to me; I have not seen any such thing yet,” the Minister stated. He further emphasized that the government’s agreement with the contractor, Summa, explicitly stipulates that the stadium will only be officially handed over once all CAF standards have been fully satisfied.
The pressure is now on Uganda, as CAF has set a deadline of August 2026 for the next inspection. By that time, Uganda must not only rectify the issues at Hoima but also demonstrate that structural upgrades at Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) are at least 50% complete.
Beyond the stadiums, the report stressed that Uganda must validate at least five 5-star hotels to accommodate international teams and officials. While the deficiencies at Hoima are described as “fixable,” the race against time has intensified for the “Pamoja” joint-hosting bid.
