Hoima City Stadium Set for Official Opening on Christmas Eve

HOIMA — The Ministry of Works and Transport has carried out the technical handover of the newly completed Hoima City Stadium, ahead of its official commissioning on Christmas Eve.

The 20,000-seater multi-purpose stadium, constructed by Turkish firm SUMMA under the supervision of the Ministry of Works and Transport through the AFCON Infrastructure Committee, was formally handed over to the Ministry of Education and Sports.

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Works and Transport, Bageya Waiswa, oversaw the technical handover on behalf of the government.

Built to CAF and FIFA standards, the state-of-the-art facility is a key component of Uganda’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which the country will co-host alongside Kenya and Tanzania.

According to the Ministry, the stadium features a top-quality natural grass playing pitch, a 2,000-seater indoor arena, training grounds and modern support infrastructure, positioning Hoima City as a new national hub for sports development.

The official unveiling of the stadium is scheduled for December 24, 2025, and will be presided over by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The National Council of Sports described the facility as “the ultimate Christmas gift for the sports fraternity and Ugandans.”

Hoima City Stadium officials have hailed the project as a landmark achievement, noting that what began as a bush-clearing exercise has culminated in one of the most modern sports facilities in the country. The Christmas Eve commissioning is expected to turn the city into a focal point of national celebration, blending sport with festive activities.

While match fixtures for the opening day have not been officially confirmed, organisers say the event is likely to feature friendly matches and cultural performances to showcase the arena’s versatility.

Beyond football, the stadium complex includes a semi-Olympic-sized swimming pool, outdoor courts for basketball, volleyball and netball, as well as training facilities designed to support both elite and grassroots sport.

The project, estimated to cost between USD 129 million and USD 131 million (about Shs480–484 billion), is among Uganda’s flagship AFCON 2027 infrastructure investments and is expected to play a long-term role in promoting sports tourism and economic activity in the Bunyoro sub-region.

With the technical handover complete and the official opening days away, attention now turns to Hoima as Uganda counts down to hosting Africa’s biggest football tournament.