Uganda Steps Up AFCON 2027 Preparations as Stadium Projects Enter Final Phase

With the Pamoja AFCON 2027 tournament now less than a year away, Uganda has entered a crucial phase of preparations as work continues to ensure the country’s infrastructure is ready for the continental showpiece.

Uganda will co-host the Africa Cup of Nations alongside Kenya and Tanzania, with the tournament scheduled to take place from June 19 to July 17, 2027. The three-nation hosting arrangement will bring the biggest football tournament on the continent to East Africa for the first time in a joint format.

As the countdown continues, attention has increasingly shifted towards stadiums, training facilities and other infrastructure required to meet Confederation of African Football standards.

Authorities are working towards completing major stadium and training facility projects before the end of 2026, with the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Engineering Brigade playing a central role in several of the ongoing works.

The projects cover both match venues and training facilities, with Uganda expected to provide infrastructure capable of meeting the demands of teams, officials and supporters during the tournament.

CAF has already been closely involved in assessing Uganda’s preparations, while local officials continue to monitor construction and renovation works at key facilities.

Dennis Mugimba, Chairman of Communications for the AFCON Local Organising Committee, expressed confidence in the progress being made by the UPDF Engineering Brigade.

“We want to thank the UPDF Engineering Brigade as the main contractor for the professionalism in executing the works at Mandela National Stadium and the nine training facilities,” Mugimba stated as quoted by NBS Sport.

He also highlighted the decision to place the projects under the UPDF Engineering Brigade as an important part of Uganda’s preparations.

“One of the best decisions made in our preparations was President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni assigning the UPDF Engineering Brigade.”

Mandela National Stadium, commonly known as Namboole, remains one of the most important facilities in Uganda’s AFCON preparations and is undergoing further upgrades to meet CAF requirements.

The stadium has already gone through an earlier phase of refurbishment, while additional works are being undertaken as Uganda moves closer to the tournament.

The latest phase includes improvements to key areas such as VIP facilities, media infrastructure and other operational sections of the stadium. The capacity is also expected to increase from 38,000 to 45,000 seats as part of the redevelopment programme.

The government is relying on the continued work at Namboole to ensure the country has a suitable flagship venue when AFCON 2027 arrives.

Beyond the main match venues, Uganda is also investing heavily in training grounds that will be used by participating teams during the tournament.

The UPDF Engineering Brigade is involved in redevelopment works at several facilities, including grounds at Makerere University, Kyambogo University, Hoima Boma, Masindi, Lira University, Gulu University and Pece Stadium. FUFA Stadium in Kadiba has also been handed over for pitch redevelopment as part of the wider preparations.

The upgrades are aimed at providing teams with suitable training environments while ensuring the facilities meet the standards required for a major CAF competition.

The training infrastructure is considered an important part of Uganda’s preparations because tournament readiness extends beyond the stadiums where matches will be played.

Construction at Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira has also been progressing, with the project forming part of Uganda’s wider sports infrastructure programme.

The stadium is being developed as a major multi-sport facility featuring a football pitch, athletics track, indoor arena and other supporting infrastructure.

Earlier reports indicated significant progress on the main structural works, although additional roofing, mechanical, electrical and finishing works remain part of the wider project.

The development is expected to provide Northern Uganda with a modern sports facility while contributing to the country’s long-term sporting ambitions beyond AFCON 2027.

Hoima City Stadium is another major part of Uganda’s preparations and has already made substantial progress.

The facility was completed and cleared for commissioning in late 2025, with infrastructure including modern changing rooms, VIP areas, an external training pitch, swimming facilities and an indoor arena.

The stadium is one of Uganda’s confirmed AFCON 2027 match venues alongside Mandela National Stadium.

With the tournament drawing closer, attention will remain on ensuring that all supporting infrastructure and operational requirements are fully aligned with CAF expectations.

With the tournament approaching, the pressure on Uganda’s organising team is increasing as the country seeks to complete outstanding works and demonstrate its readiness to host the continental event.

The infrastructure programme represents one of the biggest components of Uganda’s preparations, with stadium upgrades and training facilities expected to leave a lasting legacy for football and other sports in the country.

Officials remain confident that the ongoing works will be completed within the required timelines, but the coming months will be critical as Uganda moves from construction and renovation towards operational testing and final tournament preparations.

For the host nation, the objective is now clear: ensure that its venues, training facilities and supporting infrastructure are ready well before the first AFCON 2027 match is played.