Written By | Peter Luzinda
Ogwang emphasised that Uganda’s preparations are guided by the fact that the tournament will be jointly hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania
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KAMPALA,
The Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang, has assured Parliament that Uganda is making steady progress in preparations to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027, adopting a whole-of-government approach to address all requirements.
Appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Sports, Minister Ogwang revealed that an inter-sectoral committee has been established to support the Local Organising Committee (LOC). He said the committee has already identified key sectoral needs, which have been prioritised in the Financial Year 2026/27 budget with full Cabinet approval.
Ogwang emphasised that Uganda’s preparations are guided by the fact that the tournament will be jointly hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. He noted that government has provided targeted support, particularly in the hospitality sector, through a special credit facility via the Uganda Development Bank to help hotels in Hoima and Masindi upgrade to CAF standards. Consultations on compliance have been completed, with engagements between hotel owners, the bank, and special purpose vehicles expected to advance by April 23, 2026.
Minister Peter Ogwang
On infrastructure, the minister disclosed that funding has been allocated for selected roads around Hoima City Stadium and Mandela National Stadium. Additionally, Shs 184.9 billion has been earmarked for the construction of a new passenger terminal at Kabalega International Airport, while Shs 5.2 billion has been released to the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA).
The minister stated that all current preparations are based on the findings of the recent CAF inspection report. He explained that identified gaps — including stadium upgrades, road infrastructure, health facilities, and traffic management — have informed government interventions. Ogwang clarified that any deficiencies at the stadiums remain the contractor’s responsibility to fix at no extra cost to government. He expressed confidence that Uganda will meet all requirements before CAF’s next inspection visit scheduled for August 2026.
However, lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with the minister’s response.
Hon. Helen Nakimuli criticised the update for lacking clear timelines on when the identified gaps would be addressed, particularly at Hoima Stadium. She questioned whether the remaining time before the August inspection is sufficient and demanded specific details on outstanding issues such as obstructed VIP sightlines, changing room sizes, and other facility shortfalls.
Helen Nakimuli
Nakimuli further queried the planning and approval process behind the stadium designs, asking why the contractor proceeded with plans that failed to meet CAF expectations and whether qualified professionals were involved from the beginning.
Hon. Allan Ssewanyana raised additional concerns over reports that CAF President Patrice Motsepe had suggested Kenya and Tanzania appear more prepared than Uganda. He cited circulating reports that CAF has already approached South Africa, Algeria, and Egypt as potential replacement hosts if Uganda fails to satisfy inspectors in August. Ssewanyana urged the minister to clarify the situation and “clear the air” before Parliament.
Allan Ssewanyana
Minister Ogwang is expected to provide further detailed responses and the full CAF inspection report when he returns to the committee. The joint AFCON 2027 tournament is scheduled to take place across Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania from June to July 2027.
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