Uganda’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations remain firmly on course, according to State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang, who has moved to ease public concern following a recent inspection by the Confederation of African Football.
Addressing the nation through his official X platform, Ogwang explained that government deliberately invited CAF officials to carry out an early assessment of key infrastructure as part of proactive planning for the continental showpiece.
The inspection team evaluated progress at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium and the under-construction Hoima Stadium. While CAF flagged several shortcomings—particularly at Hoima—Ogwang emphasized that these were expected at this stage and are already being addressed.
He revealed that the identified gaps were promptly forwarded to Turkish contractors SUMMA, who have since engaged government authorities and commenced corrective work.
“The priority now is to ensure all highlighted areas are resolved ahead of the next CAF inspection scheduled for August,” Ogwang noted, underlining government’s urgency in meeting required standards.
Beyond stadium infrastructure, the minister acknowledged that broader logistical elements such as transport networks, aviation facilities, and accommodation capacity also need attention. However, he clarified that these fall under different government sectors, all of which are actively aligning efforts.
Leadership of the overall AFCON preparations sits with First Lady and Education Minister Janet Museveni, who chairs the inter-ministerial committee overseeing the project. Ogwang confirmed that she has already tabled a cabinet paper that secured additional funding to accelerate readiness across all sectors.
Uganda will co-host the 2027 tournament alongside Kenya and Tanzania under the “East Africa Pamoja” initiative marking a historic regional collaboration.
Despite early concerns, Ogwang maintained a confident tone, reiterating government’s commitment to delivering a successful AFCON tournament that meets all CAF benchmarks and showcases the region on the continental stage.
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