Uganda and it’s preparations to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations have suffered a setback after the newly built Hoima Stadium was deemed unfit to stage matches by Confederation of African Football inspectors.
The development follows a recent assessment which found that, despite the stadium’s completion, it does not yet meet the governing body’s Category 4 requirements, the standard required to host AFCON fixtures.
According to the report, several operational shortcomings were identified during inspection.
include inadequate separation between VIPs, media personnel and supporters, as well as dressing rooms that fall below required specifications.
Inspectors also noted that the dugouts obstruct views from certain sections of the stands, raising concerns about spectator experience.
As a result, Hoima Stadium has, for now, been reduced to a training venue rather than a match host, dealing a blow to Uganda’s ambitions of playing a central role in the tournament.
The findings are part of a broader review of infrastructure across the three co-host nations – Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania – all of which are preparing to stage the expanded continental showpiece.
The report indicates that, as of February 2026, none of Uganda’s four proposed venues fully comply with CAF’s top-tier hosting criteria.
This puts pressure on Ugandan authorities and contractors, including Turkish construction firm Summa, to accelerate upgrades and address the highlighted deficiencies.
A follow-up inspection is expected in August 2026, leaving a limited window to implement changes in areas such as technical infrastructure, media facilities and crowd management systems.
Despite the concerns raised, Uganda’s Sports Minister Peter Ogwang has dismissed suggestions that the stadium is not ready, defending the quality of the project.
“I have seen something online which I am not happy with, but because it is your opinion, I respect it. But for once, learn to appreciate when good work is done,” Ogwang stated.
“That stadium met European standards. That stadium was given a five-star rating, which is the best on the African continent.”
The Hoima facility, reportedly constructed at a cost of $130 million, was completed ahead of schedule and had initially been hailed as a symbol of Uganda’s readiness to host a major international tournament.
However, CAF’s independent evaluation paints a more cautious picture, suggesting that while physical construction may be complete, operational readiness remains a critical challenge.
The situation reflects a wider issue facing host nations of major tournaments, where meeting international standards goes beyond infrastructure alone and includes logistics, safety protocols and fan experience.
With the 2027 AFCON drawing closer, Uganda now faces a race against time to upgrade its facilities and align with CAF’s strict requirements.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s AFCON 2027 dream in jeopardy as payment delay raises alarm ahead of continental showpiece.
