Preparations for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 have officially gathered momentum, with Uganda hosting a high-level kickoff workshop involving the three PAMOJA host nations.
A delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is in Kampala for a two-day strategic workshop scheduled for April 22–23, bringing together Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania to align on the next phase of tournament planning.
The meeting convenes key stakeholders, including Ministers of Sports from the three countries, Presidents of their respective football federations, and CAF officials led by Acting General Secretary Samson Adamu.
Officials clarified that the engagement is not an inspection visit but rather a collaborative planning session aimed at strengthening coordination and defining priorities for delivering a successful tournament.
The workshop will focus on critical areas such as safety and security, infrastructure development, procurement, finance, media operations, ticketing, and commercial activities. It signals CAF’s continued commitment to supporting the joint bid by the PAMOJA nations.
Uganda’s Local Organising Committee (LOC) also acknowledged the role of Janet Museveni for hosting the meeting, noting that strong coordination across sectors will be key to the tournament’s success.
Meanwhile, the LOC has addressed growing interest from hotel and apartment owners seeking to be part of AFCON 2027 preparations.
Officials clarified that the mandate to approve tourist accommodation facilities lies with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, working alongside the Uganda Tourism Board.
Property owners, including those operating Airbnb-style services, have been advised to first secure authorization from the Uganda Tourism Board before engaging with the LOC.
With at least 500,000 visitors expected to travel to Uganda for the tournament, authorities say the hospitality sector stands to benefit significantly. Typically, sports tourists begin booking accommodation six to twelve months before major tournaments, placing the current period as a crucial preparation window.
Government Releases UGX 130 Billion for Training Facilities
On infrastructure, the government has released UGX 130.4 billion to support the construction and completion of eight AFCON 2027 training facilities across the country.
These include Hoima Boma, Masindi Municipal, Sir Tito Winyi SS, Pece Stadium, Lira University, Gulu University, Kyambogo University, and Makerere University.
Four of the facilities—Hoima, Masindi, Lira, and Gulu—are expected to be handed over to the UPDF Engineering Brigade by the end of April to commence works.
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations has also requested up to the end of June 2026 to hand over Kadiba Stadium for upgrades into a training facility.
Wide Range of Business Opportunities Emerging
Beyond infrastructure, AFCON 2027 is opening up a wide range of business opportunities for Ugandans.
These include transport services, nature and cultural tourism, hospitality, merchandise, restaurants and leisure services, fan zones, ICT solutions, and financial services.
Authorities say fan zones, in particular, will play a key role in engaging supporters without match tickets, offering live screenings and entertainment experiences.
Businesses are also being encouraged to invest in digital solutions to support cashless transactions, real-time content sharing, and enhanced fan engagement during the tournament.
With the tournament just over a year away, the LOC is urging both businesses and individuals to begin preparations early to ensure quality service delivery.
Officials say more opportunities will be communicated once the LOC finalizes its detailed work plan.
