Uganda has unveiled an ambitious and heavily funded national plan to prepare for co-hosting the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027, setting the stage for one of the largest sporting events ever held in the country.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, officials outlined a sweeping strategy that brings together government agencies, private sector players, and civil society in what has been described as a whole-of-country approach to delivering a successful tournament.
The 2027 AFCON tournament will be jointly hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania from June 19 to July 18, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors across the region.
Authorities say the scale of the event requires coordination beyond any single institution. An Inter-Sectoral Steering Forum established in late 2024 is now working alongside the Local Organizing Committee, which was formally approved and published in 2025 in line with Confederation of African Football requirements.
Uganda is expected to host matches at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole and the newly planned Hoima City Stadium, with eight additional training facilities to support teams. All key infrastructure is expected to be completed by January 2027.
Estimates suggest that between 500,000 and 650,000 visitors could travel to Uganda during the tournament, potentially generating at least 500 million dollars in local spending if each visitor spends an average of 1,000 dollars.
To support preparations, the government has committed vast financial resources. An earlier allocation of 1.35 trillion shillings has now been supplemented with an additional 905 billion shillings to address critical infrastructure and operational needs.
The funding will cover road upgrades around major venues, expansion of airport facilities including the operationalization of Kabalega International Airport, and improvements in hospitality infrastructure such as hotels in Hoima and Masindi.
Further investments will go toward upgrading health facilities to meet international standards, enhancing ICT systems, improving water and electricity supply, and modernizing railway transport lines linking key areas.
The Local Organizing Committee has also received dedicated funding to coordinate tournament logistics, including security, branding, hospitality, and fan services.
In a move aimed at boosting tourism and easing travel, the government has announced that visa fees will be waived for all visitors for a period spanning one month before and after the tournament. Officials are also exploring the possibility of a joint regional visa with Kenya and Tanzania to facilitate seamless movement of fans.
Additional funds have been earmarked to market Uganda as a prime destination, leveraging the global attention that comes with hosting AFCON.
Officials say lessons learned from hosting the African Nations Championship in 2025 are already shaping preparations, with greater emphasis on efficiency, coordination, and visitor experience.
