Government has committed Shs135.7bn towards developing nine additional training facilities as Uganda accelerates infrastructure preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The investment runs alongside ongoing works at Uganda’s two competition venues, with organisers targeting December 2026 for their readiness ahead of next year’s tournament.
Uganda will co-host AFCON 2027 with Kenya and Tanzania from June 19, with Mandela National Stadium, Hoima City Stadium designated competition venues while the Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira is on Stanby
Dr Denis Mugimba, chairperson of the Uganda LOC Communications and Promotion Sub-Committee, says government has provided all funding required for the stadiums and nine additional training facilities.
The Shs135.7bn training-facility package includes Shs21.9bn for Makerere University and Shs20.2bn for Masindi King George Stadium.
Sir Tito Winyi Senior Secondary School receives Shs18.6bn, while Kyambogo University accounts for another Shs16.5bn under the infrastructure programme.
Hoima Booma Grounds, Pece Memorial Stadium, Gulu University and Lira University have each been allocated Shs13.3bn for their respective developments.
FUFA Kadiba, which was handed over to the UPDF Civil Engineering Brigade recently, has the smallest allocation among the nine at Shs5.2bn.
Overall, Uganda requires 12 training facilities for the tournament, with some annex facilities being developed alongside the three principal competition stadiums.
Stadium works progress
Beyond the training facilities, organisers are also racing to complete outstanding works at the three venues where AFCON matches will be staged.
Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira is approaching 80 percent completion, with the LOC reporting that construction is currently ahead of schedule.
“The progress of work at AKOS is close to 80 percent and ahead of schedule,” Mugimba said in the latest LOC preparations update.
At Mandela National Stadium, significant remodelling works remain underway, with the LOC maintaining December 31, 2026 as the targeted completion date.
The UPDF Civil Engineering Brigade is undertaking the Namboole project alongside its involvement in developing several additional training facilities across the country.
Hoima City Stadium, which is already operational, is meanwhile undergoing corrective works arising from issues identified during CAF’s February 2026 inspection.
Mugimba says approximately 95 percent of the snags identified by CAF at Hoima have since been addressed, leaving one major outstanding project.
“The main outstanding work is the installation of the VVIP pedestrian bridge that connects from the VVIP parking lot to the VVIP Lounge,” Mugimba said.
The stadium will host continental club football this month when Kitara face Mogadishu City Club in their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary-round tie.
December target
The LOC expects all three competition stadiums and ten of the 12 training facilities to be ready before the end of December.
FUFA Kadiba and Sir Tito Winyi Senior Secondary School are expected to follow by January 2027 because their sites were handed over later.
That would leave organisers approximately five months to complete testing and other operational preparations before AFCON kicks off on June 19.
CAF recently concluded its second physical inspection of Uganda’s tournament infrastructure, covering the three competition venues and nine training facilities.
The inspection included facilities in Kampala, Hoima, Lira and Gulu as Uganda attempts to meet the infrastructure requirements for its first AFCON.