Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | During today’s plenary sitting, the Speaker of Parliament Anita Among expressed concerns regarding Uganda’s potential loss of the Pamoja Bid to host the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Ms. Among emphasized that unless the government accelerates the construction of the stadium and other necessary infrastructure required by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host AFCON, Uganda risks losing the bid.
Ms. Among highlighted that Uganda, alongside Kenya and Tanzania, secured the Pamoja Bid, but while other countries are progressing with stadium construction, Uganda lags behind. She warned that if Uganda does not expedite its efforts, similar to the pace demonstrated during the construction of Namboole Stadium, the bid could be revoked.
Consequently, the government has proposed a supplementary budget to kickstart the construction of the stadium in Hoima.
“… all the other countries are already constructing, the only country which is still behind is Uganda and it is likely that if we do not move faster like we moved faster on Namboole that bid will be taken away from Uganda and that is why you realize today in the supplementary which is based on Afcon, we need money to start the stadium in Hoima and that must be started,” Speaker Among said.
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In today’s parliamentary session, a supplementary budget of 288.624 billion shillings was approved. Within this budget, 152 billion shillings have been allocated for the construction of a stadium in Hoima.
This funding will be disbursed to the contractor, M/S Summa, as a 30% advance payment to facilitate the commencement of stadium construction. The aim is to ensure that the stadium is completed before the deadline of December 31, 2025, as mandated by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The funds for this project will be sourced from the Petroleum Fund.
What is required by CAF to qualify as AFCON host country
CAF stipulates that AFCON host countries or joint hosts must provide match venues near an airport, level five hospital, and a five-star hotel. They should also have six stadiums to accommodate the 24 participating teams, along with three training grounds that meet CAF’s standards.
Other requirements include turnstiles at all stadium gates, CCTV monitors, designated VIP and VVIP seating, media facilities, a press conference room, a mixed zone, photographers’ area, OB van area, and VAR operation room.
It’s worth noting that Kenya previously won bids to host the 1996 Afcon edition and the 2018 Africa Nations Championship finals but had both rights revoked due to unprepared venues.
In the history of the Afcon, only two Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) countries have hosted the tournament: Sudan in 1957 and 1970 and Ethiopia in 1962, 1968, and 1976.
