Kampala, Uganda: The Government of Uganda has committed at least Shs2.2 trillion towards preparations for the co-hosting of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA 2027, with officials describing the undertaking as a “whole-of-country” mission requiring coordinated national effort.
The development was revealed by the Chairperson of the Communications and Signage Sub-Committee under the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Dr Dennis Mugimba, during a Tuesday press briefing at Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, saying the scale and complexity of hosting Africa’s biggest football tournament were laid bare and made the trillion-shilling budget inevitable.
“Co-hosting of a continental sports event of the magnitude of the Confederation of African Football’s AFCON is a complex operation that neither a single sector nor entity can execute and implement alone or in isolation,” Dr Mugimba stated.
He explained that cabinet had earlier approved Shs1.35 trillion for infrastructure, logistics, and operational costs for both CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027, with an additional Shs905 billion later secured to address critical inter-sectoral requirements.
Dr Mugimba revealed that planning assumptions project a massive influx of visitors, noting: “Potentially 500,000 to 650,000 visitors may flock to Uganda alone to experience AFCON-2027.”
He added that the tournament presents a rare economic opportunity, stating: “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.”
The government’s investment spans infrastructure, hospitality, health, and transport sectors. Key allocations include Shs213.76 billion for upgrading over 47 kilometres of roads around Namboole and Hoima, Shs184.9 billion for the development of Kabalega International Airport, and Shs101.1 billion to support hotel upgrades in Hoima and Masindi through the Uganda Development Bank facility.
In the health sector, Mugimba said at least Shs91.05 billion has been set aside to upgrade key facilities, including Hoima Regional Referral Hospital and Masindi General Hospital, to meet CAF standards for emergency and intensive care.
Sports infrastructure and team readiness are also central to the plan, with Shs56.2 billion allocated for Namboole Stadium upgrades and additional funding directed towards FUFA Kadiba Stadium and the Uganda Cranes’ preparations.
Dr Mugimba emphasised that beyond infrastructure, success will depend on national coordination and citizen participation.
“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 arise to a greater sense of common mission,” he said.
The LOC will also receive Shs109.9 billion to coordinate tournament operations across key areas including security, hospitality, branding, and media.
To boost tourism and ease travel, government has committed to waiving visa fees for all visitors for at least three months around the tournament period, while also exploring a joint PAMOJA visa arrangement with Kenya and Tanzania.
Uganda will co-host the tournament alongside Kenya and Tanzania from June 19 to July 18, 2027, with Mandela National Stadium (Namboole), and Hoima City Stadium designated as the country’s primary venues.
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