Kampala, Uganda: The Government of Uganda has waived visa fees for all international visitors for three months surrounding the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA 2027, in a strategic move aimed at boosting tourism and maximizing economic returns from the continental tournament.
The visa waiver will take effect one month before kickoff and remain in force until one month after the tournament, which Uganda will co-host alongside Kenya and Tanzania from June 19 to July 18, 2027.
The decision was announced on Tuesday, April 07, 2026, by Dr. Dennis K. Mugimba, Chairperson of the Communications and Signage Sub-Committee under the Local Organising Committee (LOC), who said the move is intended to position Uganda as a competitive and attractive destination for football fans and global visitors.
“The Cabinet of @GovUganda decided to grant a visa waiver for visitors coming to Uganda, starting one month before the kickoff of AFCON 2027 and ending one month after the tournament. This decision is intended to encourage more visitors to come to Uganda as part of the marketing and promotion of Destination Uganda,” Dr Mugimba stated while addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.
He added that government is also pursuing a joint “PAMOJA visa” arrangement with co-host nations Kenya and Tanzania to further ease cross-border movement of fans during the tournament period.
According to Dr Mugimba, the measures are part of a broader strategy to unlock the full economic potential of AFCON 2027, with projections indicating that Uganda alone could receive between 500,000 and 650,000 visitors.
“If each visitor spends at least USD 1,000 during their stay in Uganda, that could potentially be USD500 million at a minimum spent in the local economy,” he noted.
The visa waiver complements massive government investments in infrastructure and services aimed at delivering a world-class tournament. Uganda has committed more than Shs2.2 trillion towards preparations, covering upgrades to roads, stadiums, hospitals, airports, and hospitality facilities.
Dr Mugimba emphasized that hosting AFCON goes beyond football, describing it as a national economic opportunity. “The successful co-hosting of such a massive sports event requires a ‘whole-of-country approach’ in that the citizen, the government, civil society, and the private sector must all rise to a greater sense of common mission,” he said.
Key facilities, including Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, and Hoima City Stadium, are undergoing upgrades, while investments in tourism infrastructure and marketing are expected to position Uganda as a premier destination on the continent.
The visa waiver policy is expected to significantly lower travel barriers, increase tourist inflow, and stimulate sectors such as hospitality, transport, trade, and entertainment.
With the countdown to 2027 underway, officials say the focus is now on execution—ensuring that Uganda not only hosts a successful AFCON but also secures long-term economic and social gains from the tournament.
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