KAMPALA — Uganda is stepping up preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with officials urging a coordinated national effort ahead of the continental tournament set to be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
The competition, officially branded AFCON PAMOJA 2027, will run from June 19 to July 18, 2027, with Uganda scheduled to stage matches at the Mandela National Stadium and the upcoming Hoima City Stadium.
Dr. Dennis K. Mugimba, Chairperson of the Communications and Signage Sub-committee and spokesperson for the Ministry of Education and Sports, emphasized that hosting the tournament requires collaboration across all sectors of society.
“Co-hosting a continental sports event of the magnitude of the Africa Cup of Nations is a complex operation that neither a single sector nor any one entity (government or private) can execute or implement alone or in isolation,” Mugimba said.
He stressed that the success of the tournament depends on a unified national effort involving all stakeholders.
“The successful co-hosting of such a massive sports event requires a ‘whole-of-country approach,’ in which citizens, government, civil society, and the private sector must all rise to a greater sense of common mission as far as AFCON 2027 is concerned,” he said.
Mugimba also pointed to the significant economic opportunity the tournament presents, noting that visitor spending could inject substantial revenue into Uganda’s economy.
“If each visitor spends at least USD 1,000 during their stay in Uganda, that could translate into a minimum of USD 500 million spent in the local economy during the tournament,” he said.
He urged both public and private stakeholders to strategically position themselves to benefit from the anticipated influx of tourists and business opportunities.
“The big question is how the private sector, the government, and ordinary citizens can position themselves to tap into this emerging AFCON 2027 economy,” Mugimba noted.
According to officials, there is strong government backing for the preparations, with investments expected in infrastructure, hospitality, transport, and security systems to ensure readiness.
“There is overwhelming government commitment to ensuring a ready environment in Uganda for the successful co-hosting of the AFCON PAMOJA 2027 tournament,” Mugimba added.
He further revealed that the Local Organising Committee (LOC) will roll out periodic updates and engagement activities to build excitement and participation ahead of the tournament.
“In the coming weeks and months, the LOC will provide regular updates on the rollout of various activations planned to build engagement between AFCON 2027 and fans both within and outside Uganda,” he said.
The joint hosting of AFCON 2027 marks a historic milestone for East Africa, with expectations high that the tournament will boost tourism, infrastructure development, and regional integration.