President Yoweri Museveni has instructed key government agencies to fast-track preparations for Uganda’s historic co-hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside neighboring Kenya and Tanzania. The directive was issued at State House Entebbe following a high-level strategic meeting with Confederation of African Football (CAF) Acting Secretary General Samson Adamu and Uganda’s National AFCON Task Force, which is spearheaded by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.
The primary focus of the discussion centered on evaluating Uganda’s overall readiness to host matches when the prestigious continental tournament kicks off on June 19, 2027. President Museveni emphasized the critical need for accelerated execution across all priority infrastructure projects, stressing that stadiums, training facilities, road networks, airport expansions, and host city accommodations must be completed strictly within required timelines and meet rigid international CAF standards.
Uganda’s tournament blueprint designates several key venues for competition matches, including the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Hoima City Stadium, and the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira, supplemented by a network of official training grounds. Recent updates from the Uganda Local Organising Committee indicate that these core competition venues are tracking well following physical inspections by CAF. Progress reports show that construction at the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium has achieved roughly 80 percent completion, while modernization efforts at Hoima City Stadium have surged to about 95 percent compliance following additional structural adjustments mandated by CAF.
Beyond athletic arenas, the government has recognized that comprehensive multi-sectoral updates are vital to fulfilling its hosting obligations. Substantial upgrades are underway regarding regional road networks, aviation hubs, health services, and hospitality accommodations. In Hoima, preparations are moving in tandem with broader infrastructural transformations, including expansions at Kabalega International Airport and supplementary local developments designed to seamlessly accommodate visiting national teams, global delegates, and traveling fans.
Recognizing the unique nature of the “PAMOJA” tri-nation hosting framework, President Museveni strongly advocated for deepened cross-border cooperation. He noted that smooth logistical coordination is essential to ease the cross-border movement of spectators, teams, and tournament officials throughout East Africa. To facilitate this, Museveni announced plans to directly engage his East African counterparts in Kenya and Tanzania to champion a unified single-visa arrangement specifically tailored for the tournament.
