Uganda seeks CAF approval to use Hoima stadium for AFCON 2027 qualifiers

What the report says

Uganda has asked the Confederation of African Football for permission to use the newly built Hoima City Stadium for its 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches, according to reporting by The Independent Uganda based on remarks from state minister for sports Peter Ogwang. The request comes as Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, also known as Namboole, is still under renovation, leaving Uganda looking for an alternative home venue for the campaign.

Ogwang said the government has already written to CAF and is appealing for flexibility while the country works to finish stadium upgrades. He said Uganda understands the governing body’s requirements for hosting international matches and has explained its situation in the request. The article also notes that the government is pressing contractors to complete work at Namboole and improve a terminal in Hoima to support travel to the city.

Uganda is in Group H for the qualifiers alongside Tunisia, Libya and Botswana. Its campaign is scheduled to begin in September, with an away match against Tunisia on Sept. 21 followed by a home fixture against Libya on Oct. 6. Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania are set to jointly host AFCON 2027, which is scheduled for June 19 to July 17. The decision on Hoima could affect how Uganda stages its early qualifying matches while major sports infrastructure work continues.