Sports 7 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Afcon 2027 LOC Urges Calm with Shs905 Billion Boost for Uganda's Hosting Preparations
Uganda's Local Organizing Committee for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations has called for public reassurance amid readiness concerns, highlighting a new Shs905 billion government allocation on top of the earlier Shs1.35 trillion for CHAN 2025 and Afcon infrastructure. Funds will upgrade stadiums, airports, hotels, hospitals, and more to meet Caf standards for the East African co-hosting. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/soccer/afcon-loc-calls-for-calm-as-preps-get-shs905b-financial-reassurance--5415420
Uganda’s Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), set for June 19 to July 18, 2027, alongside Kenya and Tanzania, has urged the public to stay calm despite a recent Caf report flagging slower progress compared to co-hosts.
Dennis Mugimba, chair of the communications sub-committee, dismissed panic at a media briefing, emphasizing that Caf is evaluating preparedness, not full readiness. He pointed to strong political backing, ample funding, and an Inter-Sectoral Steering Forum led by First Lady Janet Museveni to coordinate efforts across government and private sectors.
Tensions between FUFA and government surfaced over Hoima City Stadium consultations, but Mugimba described it as routine collaboration, with sub-committees balanced between the two. Key venues like Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) and Hoima are targeted for completion by January 2027, with upgrades including fan zoning and media facilities.
The Cabinet’s 2024 approval of Shs1.35 trillion covered CHAN 2025 and Afcon basics, including $13 million and $30 million Caf fees. President Museveni has now secured an extra Shs905 billion for critical needs, with funds ring-fenced ahead of July 2026.
Breakdown includes Shs213.76 billion for 47.53km of roads around stadiums, Shs184.9 billion for Kabalega Airport’s passenger terminal, Shs101.1 billion for Hoima-Masindi hotels via UDB credit, Shs109.9 billion for LOC operations, and Shs56.2 billion for Namboole upgrades. Health gets Shs91.05 billion for Hoima, Masindi, and Buseruka facilities, while Shs13.75 billion aids sanitation in Hoima, Masindi, and Kira.
Other allocations cover ICT (Shs6.44 billion), water grids (Shs6.25 billion), railways (Shs23.33 billion), electricity (Shs4.69 billion), marketing (Shs37.85 billion), FUFA’s Kadiba and Cranes prep (Shs17.7 billion and Shs12.55 billion), and airport meteorology (Shs3.39 billion). Visa waivers and a Pamoja visa are planned to attract 500,000-650,000 visitors to Uganda, potentially injecting $500 million into the economy.
Akii Bua Stadium in Lira remains a standby, needing Shs724.5 billion if activated.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)