Uganda has officially launched construction of key training facilities for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with the groundbreaking ceremony held at the Makerere University Sports Ground as part of a wider national infrastructure push tied to the tournament.
State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang presided over the event on behalf of Education and Sports Minister Janet Kataaha Museveni, signalling the formal start of construction on eight training venues across the country. The ceremony drew senior university leaders including Chrispus Kiyonga and Barnabas Nawangwe, alongside vice chancellors from Kyambogo University, Gulu University and Lira University.
The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces Engineering Brigade has been contracted by the National Council of Sports to construct the facilities. Funding has already been released for initial works at Makerere, where a new training pitch valued at Shs21.8 billion will support the refurbished Mandela National Stadium in Namboole.
Additional developments include a Shs19 billion training ground at Kyambogo, upgrades linked to Hoima City Stadium with supporting pitches in Hoima and Masindi, plus new facilities tied to Akii Bua Olympic Stadium. Training venues are also planned at universities in Lira and Gulu and at Pece Stadium, each estimated at about Shs13.2 billion, with Masindi Municipal Stadium receiving an athletics track that raises its total project cost to Shs20.2 billion.
NCS chairman Ambrose Tashobya emphasised partnerships with universities as central to creating a long term AFCON legacy, while NCS general secretary Bernard Patrick Ogwel reiterated government commitment to funding the projects. Officials from the Ministry of Works, represented by architect Edward Ssimbwa, said construction should be completed within six months.
Minister Ogwang urged host universities to improve surrounding infrastructure and plan maintenance budgets early so the facilities remain viable after the tournament.
