Uganda’s preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 are evolving into one of the most ambitious national projects in recent years, driven by heavy investment, coordinated planning, and a clear focus on delivering a successful continental tournament.
Understanding that hosting AFCON cannot be handled by a single institution, government moved early to establish an inter-sectoral steering forum in November 2024. The platform, bringing together over 20 entities including the private sector and FUFA, works hand in hand with the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), which was officially gazetted in March 2025 following approval by the Confederation of African Football. This structure has since become the engine behind Uganda’s preparations.
The financial commitment alone highlights the scale of the undertaking. In 2024, Cabinet approved sh1.35 trillion to cover infrastructure, logistics, and operations for both CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027. Within this package were mandatory hosting fees of $13 million for CHAN and $30 million for AFCON. This funding was further boosted by an additional sh905 billion, backed by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, to address critical gaps across sectors.
A large share of this investment is being directed toward infrastructure. Government has committed sh213.76 billion to upgrade 47.53 kilometres of roads around key venues including the Mandela National Stadium and Hoima City Stadium, alongside 8.8 kilometres of walkways and street lighting to improve safety and accessibility. In Hoima, transformation is already underway, supported by sh101.1 billion earmarked for upgrading hotels and building new accommodation facilities linked to Kabalega Airport, which itself is receiving sh184.9 billion for a new passenger terminal to elevate it to international status.
The sports infrastructure is equally receiving attention. Namboole Stadium alone has been allocated an additional sh56.2 billion for renovations in the 2026/27 financial year, bringing its total redevelopment cost to sh248.6 billion. Meanwhile, sh17.7 billion is set aside for upgrading FUFA Kadiba Stadium into a training facility, while sh12.55 billion will support preparations of the Uganda Cranes.
Operational readiness is being handled through the LOC, which will receive sh109.9 billion to coordinate key areas such as security, hospitality, marketing, media, and tournament logistics. Additional investments include sh6.44 billion for ICT infrastructure, sh6.25 billion to boost water supply in Hoima, sh4.69 billion for dedicated electricity lines, and sh23.33 billion for railway upgrades connecting Kampala to surrounding areas.
Healthcare services are also being strengthened, with sh91.05 billion allocated to upgrade Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, Masindi General Hospital, and Buseruka Health Centre III to meet international emergency standards. Urban services have not been overlooked, with sh 13.75 billion set aside for sanitation and hygiene improvements across Hoima, Masindi, and Kira, while sh3.39 billion will enhance meteorological services at key airports.
To maximize the tournament’s visibility, government has committed sh37.85 billion toward marketing Uganda as a destination, aligning with expectations that between 500,000 and 650,000 visitors could travel to the country during the tournament window from 19th June to 18th July 2027. If each visitor spends at least $1,000, Uganda stands to generate a minimum of $500 million in tourism revenue.
To further boost arrivals, authorities have announced a three-month visa waiver for all visitors and are exploring a joint regional visa arrangement with Kenya and Tanzania to ease cross-border movement.
With two main venues—Namboole and Hoima City Stadium—and eight training facilities expected to be completed by January 2027, Uganda is racing against time but with clear intent. Backed by strong funding and a coordinated national effort, the country is positioning itself not just to host AFCON, but to leverage it as a transformative moment for its economy, infrastructure, and global image.
