Editorial
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring Uganda successfully co-hosts the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), pledging full financial backing, accelerated infrastructure development, and enhanced regional cooperation to deliver the continent’s biggest football tournament.
During a high-level meeting with the AFCON Local Organising Committee at State House, Entebbe on Wednesday, President Museveni assured officials that the government would provide all the necessary funding and technical support required to meet the strict timelines set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Uganda will jointly host the 2027 AFCON finals alongside Kenya and Tanzania under the East African “Pamoja” initiative, marking the first time the tournament will be staged in the region.
One of the major outcomes of the meeting was President Museveni’s endorsement of a proposal to introduce a common East African entry visa for the duration of the tournament.
The proposed visa would allow football fans, tourists, officials, and participating teams to move freely between Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania for four months without requiring separate entry permits.
The meeting highlighted the enormous task ahead as Uganda works to complete key infrastructure projects before CAF’s next inspection scheduled for August 31, 2026.
Prime Minister Nabbanja noted that the country was racing against time to complete several strategic projects whose deadline is December 31, 2026.
Among the priority projects are the upgrading and expansion of Mandela National Stadium; fast-tracking the completion of all AFCON training grounds; completion of Kabalega International Airport’s passenger terminal; construction of roads around Hoima City Stadium and other host towns; as well as completion of the 148-kilometer Busunju–Kiboga–Hoima Road.
