FUFA President Moses Magogo has acknowledged that Uganda was not fully prepared to host the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) as initially scheduled for February, stating that the postponement to August has provided crucial time to complete necessary preparations.
Earlier on in January, Magogo, while appearing on NBS Sport’s Inside Sport show, assured Ugandans that the country was ready to host the competition.
However, the FUFA President has now stated that the rescheduling has given Uganda more time to address the areas that were not yet ready.
“We have benefited from the postponement of CHAN. As Uganda, we could barely have been ready,” Magogo admitted.
Uganda, alongside Kenya and Tanzania, will now host CHAN from August 2-30, 2025. According to Magogo, the extension has given Uganda more time to improve infrastructure, particularly the training grounds set to be used for the tournament.
He noted significant progress at Kyambogo University Stadium, Muteesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku, and FUFA Stadium in Kadiba, with Kadiba nearly complete, while Kyambogo and Wankulukuku still require further work.
“We still have work to do in Kyambogo, but we are within time. At Kadiba, there is a lot of work that has been done, and we’re almost there,” he revealed.
“For Wankulukuku, we have a little bit of things to do, we accept, but we’re working hard to make sure that we also have that venue ready.”
Beyond infrastructure, Magogo emphasized that the postponement allows FUFA and other stakeholders to properly engage Ugandans and create national excitement for the tournament.
“Postponing the tournament also gives us more time to mobilise the country to be part of the competition,” he said. “That’s the area we had not done well, and we’re going to benefit from the postponement.”
Magogo also used the opportunity to push for further improvements at Wankulukuku, calling for the installation of floodlights to make it a viable night football venue for CHAN and the Uganda Premier League.
“We are asking that if we could get the floodlights there as well, so that it is also used at night for CHAN,” he noted.
“Having Wankulukuku hosting night football leaves a good legacy out of these competitions we’re hosting.” Magogo concluded.
