Uganda has officially confirmed key details for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2027), as preparations gather pace for the continental showpiece it will co-host alongside Kenya and Tanzania.
The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) announced that the tournament will run from Saturday, June 19 to Sunday, July 18, although the venues for the opening ceremony and final are yet to be decided.
Uganda’s preparations come 18 months after the controversial Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final, which was awarded to Morocco. A decision that continues to cast a shadow over African football governance discussions.
Visa Waiver to Boost Attendance
In a bid to maximize turnout and promote tourism, Ugandan authorities have approved a visa waiver for visitors attending the tournament.
According to LOC communications head Dennis Mugimba, the waiver will take effect one month before kickoff and remain valid until one month after the tournament ends.
The initiative forms part of a broader push to market Uganda as a top destination. The government has reportedly allocated significant funding to promote tourism, highlighting attractions such as Bwindi’s mountain gorillas, wildlife safaris across multiple national parks, and adventure experiences along the Nile River.
Stadium Readiness Under Scrutiny
Despite the progress, infrastructure remains a major concern. Uganda is set to use Mandela National Stadium and the Hoima Stadium, but both venues have recently received critical feedback from Confederation of African Football inspectors.
At present, neither stadium has been approved to host AFCON matches, with several gaps identified, particularly at Hoima.
Uganda’s Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, acknowledged the concerns, confirming that the issues have been raised with contractors, including Turkish firm SUMMA, responsible for key construction works.
He added that multiple meetings have already taken place to address the shortcomings, with efforts underway to ensure compliance with CAF standards before the next inspection scheduled for August.
Regional Hosting Dynamics
The final allocation of marquee matches remains undecided. During African Nations Championship 2024, Tanzania hosted the opening match while Kenya staged the final in Nairobi, and a similar arrangement could be considered for AFCON 2027.
As the countdown continues, Uganda’s challenge will be balancing ambitious plans to boost tourism and fan engagement with the urgent need to meet CAF’s infrastructure requirements. A race against time that could define the success of the tournament.
