Uganda Begins AFCON 2027 Test Run With First-Ever Match at Hoima City Stadium

The newly-constructed Hoima City Stadium is set to make its debut on Friday, hosting a historic first-ever competitive football match.

Kitara FC will face off against Buhimba United Saints in a Uganda Premier League fixture scheduled for a 4pm kickoff.

The Uganda Premier League Secretariat officially sanctioned the Matchday 21 clash after Kitara FC requested a venue change from their usual home ground, The Royals Park in Butema, to the new stadium.

League officials confirmed that the modern facility met all necessary operational and hosting standards, giving the green light for the landmark event to proceed.

Located in the Mparo Division of Hoima City in western Uganda, the stadium is one of the nation's newest sporting venues.

It was officially inaugurated by President Yoweri Museveni in December of last year, heralding a new era for sports infrastructure in the country.

The state-of-the-art stadium was built by Turkish construction firm MS Summa. Remarkably, the project was completed in just 12 months, four months ahead of schedule, after construction began in September 2023—a rare achievement for a project of this magnitude.

With a price tag of approximately $129 million USD (around 500 billion Ugandan shillings), the stadium represents a significant national investment. It has been designated as one of Uganda's host venues for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, alongside Mandela National Stadium.

The 16.8-acre complex offers more than just a football pitch. Its facilities include: A 2,000-seater indoor arena A semi-Olympic swimming pool (25 x 12.5 metres) Auxiliary training pitches A running track Outdoor courts for basketball and volleyball.

This multi-purpose sports hub is poised to become a central venue for major competitions and a catalyst for sports development and community activities in the region.