Sports 8 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Secures Hosting Rights for 2031 African Games
Uganda has officially been awarded the hosting rights for the 15th edition of the African Games in 2031, marking the return of the continental event to Eastern Africa for the first time in over four decades. The nation secured the bid over Nigeria during a virtual session of the African Union's specialized technical committee on youth, culture, and sports. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/other-sport/uganda-beats-nigeria-to-earn-2031-african-games-hosting-rights--5489676
Uganda will be the host nation for the 2031 African Games, a significant achievement that brings the continental sporting event back to Eastern Africa after a 44-year hiatus since Kenya hosted in 1987. The decision was confirmed during a virtual session of the African Union’s Specialised Technical Committee on Youth, Culture and Sports, where Uganda’s bid was deemed superior to that of Nigeria.
“Uganda presented the best bid among others,” stated Benard Patrick Ogwel, general secretary of the National Council of Sports (NCS) and chairman of the AU Sports Council’s advisory board. He acknowledged Nigeria’s congratulations despite their disappointment and expressed gratitude to the African Union officials who evaluated Uganda’s bid in February.
The successful bid presented to the AU included endorsements from President Yoweri Museveni and other government officials. Uganda proposed to host 23 different sports codes, aiming to potentially field up to 1,000 athletes from the host nation, a considerable increase from the usual 20-40 participating in away games.
Uganda plans to utilize a city model for hosting, leveraging facilities being developed for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Kampala, Hoima, and Lira, with Gulu also possibly participating. Proposed venues include the Mandela National Stadium, Hoima City Stadium, Akii Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira, a redeveloped Lugogo Sports Complex, and the Makerere Indoor Arena, among others. The NCS assured the AU of excellent athlete services, citing Uganda’s experience in hosting major international events like the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and the 2024 Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) meeting.
The Games aim to boost Uganda’s tourism and economy, showcasing the country’s natural beauty, culture, and people beyond the sporting events. Kampala is slated to be the main host city, handling the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as most indoor and outdoor games, media broadcasting, and commercial activities.
The NCS highlighted the positive impact of co-hosting the 2027 Afcon and the 2024 Africa Nations Championships (Chan), which have enhanced Uganda’s reputation and infrastructure for hosting major events. This experience, coupled with substantial government investment in sports, has built confidence in Uganda’s ability to successfully host the 2031 African Games, encouraging corporate sponsors to support the initiative.