The Ministry of Education and Sports is seeking Shs2.1 trillion for the partial payment for Uganda to host AFCON in 2027 and start the construction of the two required stadia, but no single penny has been availed for this expenditure in the 2024/25 national budget.
“The provided ceiling also excluded funds for the preliminary activities for AFCON 2027,” John Muyingo, State Minister for Higher Education made the remarks while appearing before Parliament’s Education Committee.
“As you are aware, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania successfully won a joint bid to host AFCON for 2027,” he noted.
He said it is important therefore, that the resources are factored into the budget for 2024/25 to ensure that preparations commence early if the tournament is to be successful.
On 27 September 2023, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarded hosting rights for the 36th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 to Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania under the East Africa joint Pamoja Bid.
The successful bid was received with delight and enthusiasm among Ugandans and the East African community in general as this will be the first time the region will host the most prestigious football tournament on the continent since its inception in 1957.
Lawmakers, however, expressed anxiety about Uganda’s readiness to prepare and host AFCON 2027 as a result of corruption and deficiency in sports facilities.
“In 2019, Cameroon won the bid but due to its being unready, it was taken to Egypt. When I look around, especially our sports facilities, I get anxious because if the status quo remains, then the same predicament that happened in Cameroon can happen here as well,” said Hon. Ssolo Kayemba (NUP, Bukomansimbi South County).
Hon. Moses Magogo (NRM, Budiope East County) who is also the President of the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA), said the excitement to host AFCON comes along with immense responsibility to execute the event especially as far as sports facilities are concerned.
“Construction of stadia must be managed under a turnkey project where you get one provider like the one for the indoor stadium in Lugogo. This same provider (Summa) did the stadium in Senegal in 17 months and all they need is a sovereign guarantee,” he said.
According to Magogo, this arrangement will eliminate challenges of delayed projects, laborious procurement processes and corruption which could hamper Uganda’s readiness to host AFCON.
The State Minister for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang assured MPs of the government’s commitment to the realisation and delivery of AFCON 2027 by prioritising sports infrastructure.
“Pamoja will not fail and we will make sure it succeeds. We have a plan to construct regional stadia and all we have to do is to walk the talk; give us money when we come [to Parliament]. We also need to have a Sports Fund and also consider taxing these betting companies to raise money to fund sports facilities,” Ogwang said.
