The Ugandan government is planning to construct a Shs13.5 billion sports facility at Gulu University as part of its preparations to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Kenya and Tanzania.
This initiative is part of Uganda’s preparations to host AFCON 2027 with Gulu University play ground earmarked as a training ground for Akii-Bua Stadium in Lira City, one of the tournament’s proposed venues.
In an interview with press agency Uganda Radio Network, James Onono, Gulu University’s Communications Officer, confirmed the development, emphasizing its dual purpose.
“This stadium will not only ease access for teams landing at the Gulu Airfield but also support our long-term goal of establishing a modern sports complex,” Onono stated, adding that the university’s current playground is slated for the construction of a Senate Building, making the timing of this project critical.
According to the Uganda Radio Network, surveyors, engineers, and environmental officers from the Ministry of Works and Transport have already assessed a 11-acre site near the Faculty of Medicine.
They have begun mapping the area and conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), setting the groundwork for the facility’s construction.
The Gulu University project is part of a broader national effort to upgrade sports infrastructure at public universities, following similar developments at Makerere and Kyambogo, also earmarked as training facilities for AFCON 2027.
Earlier this month, the government signed an MoU to transform Makerere’s playground into a Shs21 billion international-standard training facility.
Kyambogo University is already undergoing upgrades as Uganda aims to establish at least 12 standard training grounds across the country.
Mandela National Stadium is also set for an upgrade in September with Hoima Stadium set to be completed in December 2025.
