Hoima Stadium, recently inaugurated with great fanfare, has been deemed non-compliant by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host matches for AFCON 2027.
Despite the completion of the infrastructure, the inspection report highlights significant operational shortcomings: poor management of flows between VIPs, media, and supporters; dressing rooms that do not meet international standards; and team benches that obstruct visibility from the stands.
Faced with this situation, Ugandan authorities, in collaboration with contractor Summa, are now racing against time to meet CAF Category 4 requirements, which are essential for hosting official tournament matches.
A new inspection scheduled for August 2026 will be decisive. Until then, major improvements must be made, particularly regarding media areas, technical facilities, and crowd management.
In the meantime, Hoima Stadium has been downgraded to a training venue, undermining Uganda’s ambitions to play a leading role in this continental competition.
