Hoima AFCON 2027 preparations face deadline before CAF check

Uganda’s preparations to host AFCON 2027 in Hoima are facing tighter deadlines as CAF prepares another inspection of the city’s facilities. State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang has called for faster construction and renovation work across projects supporting Hoima City Stadium.

Ogwang inspected Hoima Booma Grounds, Hoima Regional Referral Hospital and other sites over the weekend alongside officials from the National Council of Sports, the Ministry of Works and Transport and the UPDF Engineering Brigade. He praised the brigade’s progress but pressed it to increase its pace and meet the agreed schedules.

The playing surface at Booma Grounds is due to be ready in September, giving the grass time to establish, while the full project is scheduled for completion by December 31. Booma is being upgraded as a CAF-standard training venue with a hybrid pitch, irrigation, floodlights, dressing rooms, a pavilion and additional power facilities. The project’s initial value was about Shs13.2 billion.

CAF’s assessment will cover more than the main stadium. Hoima must demonstrate adequate training grounds, medical care, accommodation, roads, transport, security, water, electricity and other services for teams, officials, supporters and broadcasters. Projects are also being carried out in neighbouring Masindi, including improvements to Masindi General Hospital, Buseruka Health Centre III, King George Memorial Stadium and Sir Tito Winyi Secondary School grounds.

The Office of the Prime Minister has allocated Shs545.99 billion to AFCON-related work in Hoima and Masindi, in addition to roughly Shs487 billion spent on Hoima City Stadium. The combined commitment exceeds Shs1 trillion. Hospital upgrades account for Shs91 billion, while roads and utility works around the stadium are allocated Shs106.4 billion. Kabalega International Airport has been assigned Shs183.7 billion, and Shs101.1 billion is intended to help hotels expand capacity and improve standards.

Hoima Regional Referral Hospital is planned to receive a 150-bed building, emergency and accident services, CT and MRI facilities, and upgraded laboratory, pharmacy and consultation areas. The scale of the spending has also raised questions about completion, value for money and long-term maintenance. Hoima City Stadium is estimated to cost about $15,200 each month to maintain, and Ogwang has urged institutions that receive improved facilities to begin planning for those expenses.

The city will have an early operational test in September when Kitara plan to host Somalia’s Mogadishu City in two CAF Confederation Cup preliminary-round matches at Hoima City Stadium. Those fixtures will provide experience in running the venue, but CAF’s inspection will determine whether the wider host-city network is ready for AFCON 2027.