CAF Inspection Reveals Significant Deficiencies in Uganda’s AFCON 2027 Readiness
A recent inspection by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has cast a shadow over Uganda’s preparations to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Despite the fanfare surrounding the commissioning of the Hoima City Stadium, which was lauded for its timely completion, CAF’s assessment indicates that none of Uganda’s proposed competition venues fully meet the stringent requirements of CAF Category Four, the highest standard for elite football matches.
The Hoima City Stadium, a state-of-the-art facility, was inaugurated in December and celebrated for its rapid construction by contractors Summa, who finished the project five months ahead of schedule. The stadium even hosted its inaugural competitive match this month, with Kitara FC securing a decisive 4-0 victory over local rivals Buhimba. This event led many to believe the stadium was fully prepared for AFCON 2027.
However, a report obtained by the Daily Monitor following CAF’s inspection visit last month to Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania – the three co-host nations – presents a more critical picture. While acknowledging the Hoima stadium’s “completed and operational” status, the report details several “major operational deficiencies.”
Key Issues Identified at Hoima City Stadium:
- View Obstruction: The inspection team identified a significant obstruction issue caused by the current placement of team benches. This was evident during the Kitara-Buhimba match, where broadcasters faced difficulties navigating around the benches to capture clear shots.
- Spectator Segregation and Circulation: A lack of clear segregation between different spectator categories was noted, along with inadequate cross-circulation pathways for media, VIPs, teams, and general attendees. This deficiency was demonstrated during the recent league game when ordinary ticket holders gained access to the VIP area.
- Media Facilities: The report described the media facilities as “below AFCON standards,” with the media tribune appearing to accommodate no more than 20 journalists. This limitation was also apparent during the local match, which drew journalists primarily from the surrounding Hoima region.
- Mixed Zone Location: In contrast to modern stadium designs, the mixed zone at Hoima is incorrectly situated within the competition area. CAF has recommended its relocation outside this zone as a priority action.
- Dressing Rooms and Officials’ Areas: Upgrades are required for player and referee dressing rooms, as well as the officials’ areas, before CAF’s next inspection in August.
The CAF inspection team is scheduled for a follow-up visit in August, at which point they will verify the implementation of corrective measures.
Contrasting Views and Government Reassurance
Despite the leaked criticisms from the CAF report, Uganda’s State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, has publicly downplayed the concerns. He asserted that the Hoima City Stadium meets “European standards” and has received a “five-star rating,” which he considers the best in Africa.
“What I saw this morning was that the Hoima City Stadium failed to meet Caf’s standards. What is your purpose and what is your intention? That stadium met European standards. That stadium was given a five-star rating which is the best on the African continent,” Ogwang stated in response to online speculation. He emphasized his authority on the matter and urged the public to await the official report, assuring that the stadium would be handed over satisfying CAF standards as per the contractual agreement.
Broader Preparations and Remaining Challenges
Beyond the stadium infrastructure, the AFCON 2027 Local Organizing Committee is also scrutinizing hotel facilities in the Bunyoro Sub-region. CAF mandates that the country must provide validated hotel accommodation for teams and officials, including a minimum of five 5-star hotels, each with at least 50 rooms, by August.
While the work on Hoima Stadium is considered manageable, the situation at the Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) presents a more daunting challenge. The report indicates that Namboole requires “major upgrading works,” with CAF expecting at least 50% of the renovation to be completed before the August inspection. This includes the adoption of a revised upgrade strategy, confirmation of a construction contractor and project schedule, and visible commencement of structural work.
Actionable Steps for Hoima and Namboole:
Hoima City Stadium:
- Implement redesigned spectator circulation and segregation plans.
- Relocate the mixed zone outside the competition area.
- Upgrade referee dressing rooms and officials’ areas.
- Upgrade players’ dressing rooms.
- Construct dugouts to resolve bench-related pitch view obstructions.
- Improve media infrastructure, including press conference facilities.
- Validate spectator capacity and circulation safety.
- Confirm operational overlay areas and buffer spaces.
Mandela National Stadium (Namboole):
- Adopt a revised stadium upgrade strategy aligned with AFCON delivery deadlines.
- Confirm the construction contractor and project implementation schedule.
- Initiate visible structural upgrading works.
- Develop implementation plans for hospitality areas and skyboxes.
- Create an upgrade plan for spectator circulation and media facilities.
Training Infrastructure and Supporting Facilities:
The inspection also covers training infrastructure and supporting logistics. Key requirements include:
- Confirmation of the final portfolio of training sites across all clusters.
- Rehabilitation of priority training grounds.
- Certification of lighting to 500 lux.
- Availability of pitch maintenance equipment.
- Operational dressing rooms and technical facilities.
- Confirmation of Hoima’s operational readiness for international arrivals and tournament logistics.
- Validated hotel accommodation capacity meeting CAF standards.
- Demonstrable progress (minimum 40%) in upgrading the road corridor between Kampala and Hoima to ensure reliable connectivity.
The coming months will be critical for Uganda as it races against time to address these identified shortcomings and ensure its readiness to co-host AFCON 2027.
