Uganda’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations are gathering pace, with further works continuing at Mandela National Stadium and Hoima City Stadium.
The two venues form part of Uganda’s three competition stadiums for AFCON 2027, which the country will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania.
At Namboole, remodelling works are continuing towards a December 31, 2026 deadline, while Hoima has already cleared about 95 percent of CAF-identified snags.
Dr Denis Mugimba, chairperson of the Uganda LOC Communications and Promotion Sub-Committee, says both venues remain central to preparations for the tournament.
“The remodelling works at Mandela National Stadium are expected to be completed by December 31, 2026,” Mugimba said.
That timeline would leave organisers several months to complete operational preparations before AFCON 2027 kicks off on June 19.
Namboole has already returned to use following earlier redevelopment, but further works remain necessary as Uganda prepares the stadium for continental hosting duties.
Hoima, meanwhile, presents a different picture because the facility is already hosting major competitions while finishing works continue.
Blacks Power have already played two Uganda Premier League matches at Hoima City Stadium during the current 2026/27 season.
Kitara have also registered the venue as their home ground for the season, ensuring regular top-flight football at the stadium.
The facility will now host continental club football when Kitara face Mogadishu City Club in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round.
Hoima has also staged major basketball, including the decisive National Basketball League final between Namuwongo Blazers and City Oilers.
That competitive use has continued alongside efforts to address concerns raised by CAF during an inspection of the facility in February.
Mugimba says approximately 95 percent of the identified snags have now been addressed, leaving one major item still outstanding.
“Approximately 95 percent of the snags identified by CAF at Hoima City Stadium in February have been addressed,” Mugimba said.
The remaining major work is the installation of a pedestrian bridge connecting the VVIP parking area directly to the stadium’s VVIP lounge.
“The main outstanding work is the installation of the VVIP pedestrian bridge that connects from the VVIP parking lot to the VVIP Lounge,” Mugimba explained.
The contrast between the two venues highlights different stages of Uganda’s AFCON readiness ahead of the tournament.
Namboole is working towards a firm completion deadline, while Hoima is already being tested through league, continental and basketball competition.
Uganda’s standby competition venue, Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira, is also progressing and is reported to be nearing 80 percent completion.
With CAF continuing to inspect host-country infrastructure, the coming months will be important in determining whether all three Ugandan venues meet final requirements.