The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) president, Hon. Eng. Moses Magogo, has affirmed Uganda’s readiness to host the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Speaking on NBS Sport’s Inside Sport show hosted by Jonah Byakutaaga on Monday evening, Magogo expressed confidence in the country’s preparations for the tournament, which Uganda will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania from February 1 to 28, 2025.
Magogo emphasized that as a co-host, Uganda only requires one stadium for the tournament, and the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, is fully prepared to meet this need.
“For CHAN, CAF confirmed that we need just one stadium, and for that, Namboole is ready,” he said.
According to Magogo, the stadium has undergone significant upgrades, including the installation of new, higher-quality floodlights to replace the previous ones used in recent matches.
“Namboole has been improved. For instance, new standard lights have been installed to replace the those we have been using for our recent games.”
Magogo revealed that additionally, four training grounds are being prepared and renovated to support the tournament: the outside pitch at Namboole, Kampala International School of Uganda (KISU) pitch, Muteesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku, and the FUFA Stadium in Kadiba.
“Besides the main stadium, we need four training grounds which are currently being prepared,” Magogo explained, adding that other social amenities like roads, hospitals, and hotels are also in good shape ahead of the event.
It should be noted that CAF president Dr. Patrice Motsepe visited that country in December 2024 to assess Uganda’s readiness to host CHAN 2024.
Following an inspection of Namboole Stadium, Motsepe expressed satisfaction with the progress and commended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his contributions to football development in Uganda and the East African region.
Uganda is co-hosting CHAN in preparation for hosting the continent’s premier football tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), in 2027, together with Kenya and Tanzania.
Magogo outlined that the country will require two stadiums—Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, and Hoima Stadium, which is currently under construction—to host the tournament.
He revealed that the third stadium, Akii Bua Stadium, which is also under construction, will serve as a backup.
“The plan for AFCON is Namboole and Hoima. Akii Bua Stadium is a back-up plan, but the two stadiums are good enough,” he explained.
He added that both Namboole and Hoima will have four training facilities located nearby, which are also under construction in preparation for the tournament.
Magogo further stated that by 2027, social amenities in and around Hoima, such as Hoima Hospital and Hoima Airport, will be fully operational.
Additionally, the government is working with the private sector to provide incentives aimed at improving accommodation options, including the construction of new hotels.
