The Government of Uganda is positioning the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as more than just a football tournament, framing it as a national mission that demands collective effort from the government, private sector, civil society, and ordinary citizens.
Speaking at a press briefing, Dr. Dennis K. Mugimba, LOC Chairperson of the Communications and Signage Sub-Committee, emphasized the scale of the challenge.
“The successful co-hosting of such a massive sports event requires ‘a whole-of-country approach’ in that citizen, the government, civil society, and the private sector must all arise to a greater sense of common mission as far as AFCON-2027 is concerned.”
Uganda expects between 500,000 and 650,000 visitors during the month-long tournament, projecting a minimum of USD 500 million in local spending if each visitor spends at least USD 1,000.
To meet this demand, Cabinet has approved UShs. 905 billion in additional funding for infrastructure, logistics, and tournament operations.
The allocations cover stadium upgrades, hospital improvements, hotel facilities, transport networks, ICT systems, and branding.
Fan-friendly measures are also in place: visa fees will be waived for all visitors for three months around the tournament, while Uganda is pursuing a joint PAMOJA visa with Kenya and Tanzania to ease regional travel.
With deadlines looming, stadiums, hotels, airports, and hospitals must be ready by January 2027, Uganda’s framing of AFCON as a “whole-of-country” mission is designed to mobilize broad support.
The LOC insists that success will be measured not only in football spectacle, but in economic impact and lasting national legacy.
