The National Council of Sports General Secretary, Bernard Patrick Ogwel, has revealed that President Yoweri Museveni asked the council to look into the possibility of Uganda hosting Africa’s most prestigious football tournament, the Africa Nations Cup.
While appearing on NBS Sport, Ogwel said, “President Museveni has informally requested us to look into the issue of Uganda hosting the African Cup of Nations in 2027. This shows the strides we are taking in sports.”
In the 2022/2023 financial year, the sports budget was increased from Shs17 billion to Shs47 billion.
What does it take to host the AFCON?
When it comes to infrastructure, the host nation should at least have six stadiums. The stadiums are categorized into three; the biggest (40,000), the middle (20,000), and the smallest (15,000).
Each must meet Confederation of African Football requirements: specialized lighting systems for live TV coverage, at least four changing rooms, media facilities, a referees’ room; and a room for anti-doping tests.
However, as it stands, St. Mary’s Kitende Stadium, a private facility owned by Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa, is the only approved stadium in Uganda that can host international football events.
In 2020, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) disqualified Namboole Stadium from hosting international football games as it failed to meet the required standards.
Nonetheless, the government officially handed over the renovation duties to the UPDF Engineering Brigade. This is one step the authorities have taken to address the sorry state of stadiums.
For Nakivuubo stadium, the facility has been under construction for over 10 years.
The Arua Hill Complex Stadium is another facility that the sports fraternity is waiting to see get completed. The multi-purpose sports and business complex is located next to the Arua City Monument at the roundabout on Pakwach Road in Arua City.
The $12 million (Shs43 billion) complex that sits on 9.7 acres of land has been under construction for two years. It is expected to be completed this year.
Can Uganda build the necessary facilities in five years to be able to submit a bid to host the tournament and become the first country from the CECAFA region to host Africa’s prestigious tournament?