Kampala, Uganda: With just seven days to the kickoff of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), Ugandan officials have reaffirmed that the East African country is fully ready to co-host the tournament, despite growing uncertainty over key logistics pending from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), including ticket pricing and branding.
Speaking during a high-level press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre on Thursday, July 24, senior members of the CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027 Local Organizing Committee (LOC) assured the country that preparations are complete and only waiting for the Matchday kick-off. They, however, expressed frustration with the slow pace of final approvals from CAF, which has yet to announce ticket prices or unveil official matchday branding and mascot arrangements.
“We are set. Uganda is ready to welcome Africa,” said Dr. Dennis Mugimba, the Chairperson of the Communications and Signage Subcommittee of the LOC. “But there are still key components pending from CAF, including ticketing and official branding. That delay is causing concern.”
Uganda is set to host five key fixtures during the CHAN tournament, including a quarterfinal, semifinal, and third-place playoff, with its first match set for August 4 at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, against Algeria. The overall tournament kicks off on August 2 in Tanzania.
Mark Namanya, a member of the Communications and Signage Subcommittee and Public Relations and Media Manager of LOC, noted that this year’s CHAN will be the first-ever continental tournament jointly hosted by three countries; Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
“It’s historic,” Namanya said. “And we call upon the media and all Ugandans to embrace this tournament and play their part in making it successful.”
However, with just days to go, CAF has yet to finalize and release official ticket pricing, despite Uganda’s LOC submitting proposals months ago. The LOC had recommended a three-tier pricing model (US$1–3), tailored to affordability, but CAF approval remains pending.
“It’s not easy when you have four entities—CAF, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda—trying to agree on one thing. We proposed ticket pricing long ago, but it is up to CAF to release them,” he said.
Ahmed Hussein, also a member of the Communications and Signage Subcommittee of the LOC, and Spokesperson of FUFA, reiterated that infrastructure and match operations are ready. He cautioned the media against breaching accreditation protocols, noting that unauthorized filming and straying into VIP zones would result in accreditation revocation.
“We are keen to ensure that the media experience is professional and seamless,” Hussein said. “There will be media tents, press rooms, and mix zones—but all must be used strictly in line with the accreditation issued.”
Hussein added that CAF’s host broadcaster had already been selected, and approved journalists would be provided with daily match highlights, press content, and official photos. However, he emphasized that no one—media or otherwise—would be allowed to shoot videos during matches inside the stadiums.
“Any journalist found filming or straying into restricted zones without clearance risks having their accreditation revoked. We want this tournament to be professional and well-organized,” he warned.
The LOC officials further confirmed that CAF service providers began arriving last weekend to finalize signage, branding, and stadium readiness, while a trophy tour and fan zone experiences are being prepared.
Still, the mascot debate has been shelved until AFCON 2027 due to disagreements on the design concept. “We didn’t want to confuse people with a lion that has a crested crane’s head,” Mugimba joked.
DailyExpress has learnt that Uganda has already committed over UGX 1.3 trillion towards CHAN and AFCON, with $13 million paid to CAF for CHAN operational expenses alone, and another $30 million advanced toward Uganda’s 2027 AFCON hosting obligations.
With Uganda’s part of the job seemingly complete, officials now await CAF’s final decisions on ticket prices and marketing to ensure fans can access games in time and the tournament meets expectations.
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