Uganda has officially entered the continental football spotlight with the launch of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, in a vibrant ceremony held at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on July 25, 2025.
The launch, graced by the President of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni, marked a symbolic moment in Uganda’s sporting history. It wasn’t just the unveiling of a football tournament—it was a rallying call for unity, progress, and the rise of sports as a tool for national and regional development.
“This is not just about football,” President Museveni remarked to a cheering audience, “It is a statement of East African unity and a platform to showcase the beauty, talent, and potential that our region has to offer. CHAN is a symbol of that brotherhood.”
The President also emphasized how hosting CHAN will leave a positive footprint beyond sport. “Just like CHOGM, CHAN has motivated infrastructure development. Roads, stadiums, and facilities are being upgraded. Foreigners will see Uganda as a great destination—this is a major opportunity.”
The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, echoed the President’s sentiments, pointing to the tournament’s deeper significance. “CHAN 2024 brings moments of reflection—of where we’ve come from, and what unites us as a people. Football brings out the kind of joy that binds us into a big family,” she said.
She also highlighted the upgrades Uganda has made in preparation: “From FUFA Kadiba to Muteesa II and Kyambogo Stadiums, these facilities are not just for today. They are investments for tomorrow, and for generations of Ugandan athletes to come.”
Also speaking at the event, East African Community Secretary General Veronica Mueni Nduva reaffirmed the importance of the regional partnership with Kenya and Tanzania. “The impact of CHAN will go far beyond stadiums. Football teaches discipline, teamwork, and encourages positive engagement across borders.”
FUFA President Hon. Moses Magogo hailed the launch as a turning point in Uganda’s football journey. “We dreamed of this day. Hosting tournaments like CHAN proves that football can be a socio-economic driver,” he said. “With peace and improved infrastructure, we are ready. We now ask for sport to be fully included in the national development agenda.”
The launch of CHAN 2024 was more than ceremonial—it was a celebration of how far Uganda has come, and a vision of where it is going. From grassroots to grandstands, the nation is preparing to welcome the continent.
Scheduled to run from August 2 to August 30, 2025, across Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, CHAN 2024 promises to be a celebration of African football, culture, and cooperation.
