CAF Report Flags Uganda's Hoima and Nambole Stadiums as Below Standard
A new report by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has raised serious concerns about Uganda’s readiness to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The report states that both Hoima City Stadium and Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) fall short of the required CAF Category 4 standards and are far from ready. CAF carried out the inspection last month during a tour of the three co-host nations – Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
At Hoima City Stadium, which is structurally complete, CAF noted several major problems. These include poor separation of fans, VIPs, media, and players, substandard dressing rooms, weak media facilities, obstructed views from the stands due to team benches, and lack of enough operational space. The report says significant changes and reconfiguration are needed to bring it up to AFCON level. Namboole Stadium faces even bigger challenges and requires major upgrading works.
CAF has given Uganda a clear deadline: all the necessary fixes at these stadiums and other facilities must be completed and ready for a follow-up inspection in August 2026. The report stresses that none of Uganda’s proposed venues currently meets the full standards. Ugandan sports officials have downplayed some of the findings, but the pressure is now on the government to speed up renovations if the country is to successfully co-host AFCON 2027. Many fans and observers are watching closely to see how quickly the gaps will be addressed.
