Hoima, Uganda: FUFA President Moses Magogo has expressed confidence that Hoima City Stadium will be ready to host Uganda’s matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign, following a two-day inspection of the facility and other supporting infrastructure.
Magogo led the inspection team to Hoima City Stadium and Kabalega International Airport as Uganda intensifies preparations ahead of the AFCON qualifiers, which kick off in September 2026.
Although Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania have already secured automatic qualification for the 2027 AFCON as tournament co-hosts, the three nations will still participate in the qualifying competition to maintain competitiveness and ensure regular international action before the finals.
Uganda was drawn in Group G alongside Tunisia, Libya, and Botswana.
During the inspection, officials assessed key infrastructure, including the playing surface, dressing rooms, floodlighting systems, media facilities, spectator areas, and access roads to determine the stadium’s readiness to meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) requirements.
“It has been a fruitful assessment period. The Government has done a great job here in Hoima. We shall align with all key stakeholders because we have a dream to host all our qualifiers here in Hoima,” Magogo said.
The inspection comes as Uganda accelerates investments in sports infrastructure ahead of co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will mark the first time East Africa stages Africa’s biggest football tournament.
The Government has identified Hoima City Stadium, Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, and Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira as key infrastructure projects under Uganda’s AFCON preparations.
Last month, State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang unveiled the architectural design for the second phase of renovations at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, offering Ugandans a first look at the upgraded facility expected to serve as one of the country’s flagship AFCON venues.
Ogwang said the UPDF Engineering Brigade is undertaking the renovation works, which include expanding seating capacity by approximately 8,000 seats, upgrading media facilities, improving accessibility and modernising spectator amenities to meet CAF requirements.
The current phase of the Namboole redevelopment is estimated to cost approximately US$60 million (about Shs220 billion). Combined with the first phase, the total investment is expected to reach US$85 million.
The Sports Minister has also reassured Ugandans that construction of Hoima City Stadium remains on schedule despite observations raised during previous CAF inspection visits.
According to Ogwang, all outstanding works, including dressing rooms, media facilities, VIP sections, access roads and spectator circulation areas, are expected to be completed by December 31, 2026.
Construction is equally progressing at Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira, where officials say the main stadium structure is now about 80 percent complete.
Current works include roof installation, drainage systems, construction of the media centre, VVIP facilities, clubhouse, perimeter fencing, and athletes’ hostel. Contractor SAMCO National Construction Company is targeting completion by December 2026.
Uganda will host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations jointly with Kenya and Tanzania from June 16 to July 19, 2027, in what will be the first AFCON tournament staged in East Africa.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
