President Yoweri Museveni has directed Ugandan institutions to accelerate preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with particular emphasis on infrastructure, transport and accommodation in the country’s host cities.
Museveni issued the directive on Tuesday after meeting CAF Secretary General Samson Adamu and Uganda’s National AFCON Task Force, led by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, at State House Entebbe.
The President said Uganda must ensure that infrastructure and facilities are completed on time and meet the standards required to host the continental tournament, which Uganda will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania.
“I directed the relevant institutions to move faster, particularly on infrastructure, training grounds, roads, airport facilities and accommodation in the upcountry host cities,” Museveni said.
“We must be ready on time and to the required standards,” he added.
The preparations are expected to cover stadiums and training facilities, transport networks, airport infrastructure and accommodation as Uganda works to meet CAF requirements ahead of the tournament.
Museveni also said he would engage his counterparts in Kenya and Tanzania over a proposed single visa arrangement for the three host countries.
The arrangement is intended to facilitate the movement of supporters, teams, officials and other visitors across the three East African countries during AFCON 2027.
AFCON 2027 will be the first edition of the continental tournament to be jointly hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, putting regional infrastructure and cross-border coordination at the centre of preparations.
For Uganda, the tournament is also expected to place pressure on authorities to complete major infrastructure projects and improve facilities beyond Kampala, particularly in the upcountry areas designated to participate in hosting the competition.
The meeting comes as the three East African hosts work towards ensuring that venues, training grounds, transport systems, airports and hospitality facilities are ready before CAF’s deadlines.
Ugandan authorities have previously identified infrastructure development and coordination among government agencies as key components of the country’s AFCON preparations.
The tournament is expected to attract football teams, officials, supporters and international visitors to East Africa, making efficient movement between the three host countries a significant logistical issue.
Museveni’s directive signals renewed pressure on government agencies to accelerate preparations as Uganda works to meet CAF’s requirements ahead of the 2027 tournament.
