AFCON 2027: Uganda faces crucial test as CAF flags stadium gaps ahead of August inspection

Uganda’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2027) have come under sharp focus following a detailed inspection by Confederation of African Football (CAF), which revealed significant gaps in infrastructure readiness across all three co-host nations including Kenya and Tanzania.

The February 2026 assessment, conducted by CAF’s safety and infrastructure experts, placed Uganda among countries still in a critical development phase, with none of its proposed competition venues meeting the required standards for hosting Africa’s biggest football tournament.

While Uganda continues to push forward with ambitious projects, the report highlights that the country’s AFCON infrastructure programme remains a blend of ongoing construction, redesign, and upgrades leaving a tight timeline to meet CAF’s January 2027 deadline for full operational readiness.

Uganda’s stadium challenges in focus

Among the key venues, Hoima City Stadium one of Uganda’s flagship projects has already been structurally completed but faces major operational shortcomings.

CAF identified issues such as poor spectator segregation, inadequate dressing rooms, substandard media facilities and flawed internal movement systems that could disrupt matchday operations.

Football | Caf: Hoima Stadium, 2027 Afcon facilities still wanting https://t.co/aAIgEsac8w | @senelvis

— Daily Monitor Sports (@Monitor_Sport) March 26, 2026

In Kampala, Mandela National Stadium also requires extensive redevelopment. Proposed works include structural expansion and partial reconstruction, but CAF has cautioned that the initial construction timelines are too long. Instead, a revised approach that speeds up completion before the end of 2026 has been strongly recommended.

Meanwhile, Akii Bua Stadium remains an unknown factor after it was not assessed during the inspection.

Training grounds and support systems are lagging

Beyond match venues, Uganda’s training infrastructure paints an uneven picture. Several facilities, especially in Hoima, are either incomplete or fall short of CAF’s minimum standards. Key issues include poor pitch conditions, lack of certified lighting and incomplete player facilities.

Equally concerning is the supporting ecosystem required to host a tournament of this scale.

The report points to uncertainties around Hoima International Airport’s readiness, limited hotel capacity in the region and the need for improved road connectivity between Kampala and Hoima.

Race against time before August milestone

CAF has set August 2026 as the next major checkpoint, giving each co-host a narrow window to demonstrate tangible progress.

By then, Uganda will be expected to show:

• Significant completion of stadium works
• Installation of critical systems like lighting, security, and communication
• Upgraded and certified training facilities
• Improved transport, accommodation, and airport readiness

This period from March to August is described as decisive, with governments required to confirm funding and accelerate implementation across all sectors.

Regional picture: Progress mixed across AFCON 2027 co-hosts

Across the region, the CAF report indicates a similar trend. None of the three host nations currently has a fully compliant stadium, although Tanzania appears slightly ahead structurally despite facing logistical complexities across multiple host cities.

Kenya, like Uganda, is balancing between new construction and upgrades, with key facilities still far from completion.

With the next CAF inspection looming, Uganda’s AFCON 2027 dream now hinges on rapid execution and coordinated planning.

The coming months will determine whether the country can transform its promising projects into tournament-ready facilities or risk falling short on the continental stage.