Hoima gear up for AFCON

What the report says

Hoima City Stadium is emerging as a major landmark ahead of Uganda’s role in hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, according to The Observer. The facility was built in about 14 months by Turkish firm SUMMA at a cost of Shs 152 billion, using Petroleum Fund money after parliamentary approval in May 2024. The report says this is the largest single investment so far from the fund.

The stadium complex is designed for multiple uses, not only football. It includes a main oval with 20,000 seats, a hybrid pitch, floodlights and a running track, plus an indoor sports arena for 2,000 spectators. The article also says the site has facilities for people with disabilities, media operations, training, medical and doping-control rooms, a gym, swimming pool, VIP areas and skyboxes. During a Judiciary-led visit to Uganda’s oil and gas region, officials including National Council of Sports chairperson Ambrose Tashobya toured the venue.

The Observer reports that security and building systems include a surveillance room with 279 cameras and facial recognition technology, along with automated lighting and access controls. Its location near Kabalega International Airport is presented as another advantage, and the wider Hoima area is seeing related investment, including hotel upgrades and infrastructure work. More broadly, the stadium is part of Uganda’s preparation for AFCON 2027 alongside other venues such as Namboole and Akii Bua.