AFCON 2027: Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania Launch PAMOJA Oversight Committee to Boost Preparations

East Africa's journey to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has taken a significant step forward with the formal establishment of the PAMOJA Oversight Committee.

The new body, created to guide preparations for the historic tournament, was announced in Nairobi following a high-level meeting between CAF President Patrice Motsepe and top government and football officials from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The decision was made during a working session at the Africa Forward Summit, where football leaders gathered to review progress and enhance coordination among the three host nations. The 2027 tournament, branded as PAMOJA, will be the first AFCON jointly hosted by three countries.

This newly formed committee is tasked with providing strategic direction and ensuring coordinated delivery across all three nations. Its creation signals a move by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to centralise accountability and accelerate the transition from planning to execution.

Key figures at the meeting included Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Salim Mvurya; Tanzania’s Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Paul Makonda; and Uganda’s Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang.

The respective football federations were represented by Mohammed Hussein (Kenya), Wallace Karia (Tanzania), and Moses Magogo (Uganda). CAF Acting General Secretary Samson Adamu was also present.

The leaders signed a joint resolution to immediately activate the PAMOJA Oversight Committee, highlighting the urgency of the next phase of preparations.

During his visit, CAF President Patrice Motsepe addressed growing scepticism about East Africa's readiness to host the continent's premier football event.

He firmly dismissed suggestions that the region might lose its hosting rights, asserting that preparations in all three countries are on track.

Motsepe expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing infrastructure projects and reaffirmed CAF's confidence in the plans presented by the host governments. He clarified that the new oversight body is a governance measure to improve coordination, not a response to any crisis.

"Allegations that East Africa is not ready are unfounded," Motsepe stated. "East Africa will not be deprived of the opportunity to host AFCON 2027."

Uganda’s Sports Minister Peter Ogwang shared this view, emphasising the structured engagement between national technical teams and CAF experts. He confirmed that Uganda is diligently following CAF's technical recommendations.

FUFA President Moses Magogo described the committee's formation as a major milestone for what was once an ambitious dream. He noted that the project has evolved into a coordinated effort with strong political backing, sparking renewed private sector interest and cross-border economic opportunities.

With the establishment of the PAMOJA Oversight Committee, a formal governance structure is now in place. As the tournament approaches, CAF is clearly focused on ensuring that decision-making and execution are tightly aligned across Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, and Kampala.