AFCON: Museveni orders release of Shs 102bn to upgrade Hoima hotels

What the report says

President Yoweri Museveni has ordered the immediate release of Shs 102 billion to support hotel upgrades in Uganda’s Bunyoro sub-region ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, according to The Observer. The financing is intended to help hospitality businesses in and around Hoima prepare for the tournament, which Uganda will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania.

The report says the move comes after hoteliers raised concerns that delays in accessing the money could disrupt preparations. Dr Fred Kabagambe Kaliisa, who chairs the Bunyoro Hotel Owners Association, said some owners had already begun using their own resources to improve facilities because of tight completion timelines. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said the government was aware of the delay and that Museveni had directed the African Development Bank to release the funds immediately.

The package was first announced earlier this year as a concessionary loan through the Uganda Development Bank at 5% interest. The reported plan includes Shs 52 billion for a new 100-bed five-star hotel near Kabalega International Airport and Hoima City Stadium, Shs 30 billion for upgrading existing hotels, and Shs 20 billion for other hospitality and leisure facilities in the sub-region.

The upgrades are part of broader AFCON preparations in Hoima, where a new 20,000-seat stadium has already been built. The project is meant to expand accommodation capacity and improve services for teams, officials, media and fans expected to travel to the area during the tournament.