CAF report exposes gaps in Uganda’s AFCON 2027 preparations

Uganda faces a daunting task ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), with none of its four proposed stadiums fully meeting the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Category 4 requirements, according to a new report released in February 2026.

The findings cast uncertainty over the country’s preparedness as it gears up to co-host the tournament alongside Kenya and Tanzania.

The CAF report paints a picture of an infrastructure programme in transition, with ongoing construction, renovations, and operational redesigns.

While Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, slated as the tournament’s main venue, is undergoing major renovations, and Hoima City Stadium has been structurally completed, gaps remain across both facilities.

Akii-Bua Stadium in Lira is still under construction, designed to match Hoima’s capacity, further highlighting the uneven state of readiness.

CAF emphasizes that Uganda’s success in hosting Afcon hinges largely on three critical projects: Hoima City Stadium, Mandela National Stadium, and a network of training grounds across all host clusters. At Hoima, inspectors noted operational shortcomings despite the completion of the main structure.

The report flagged poor segregation of spectator categories, cross-circulation of media, VIPs, teams, and fans, non-compliant dressing rooms for players and referees, inadequate media facilities, obstructed sightlines, and insufficient operational buffer zones. “Significant operational reconfiguration is required to meet Afcon standards,” CAF stressed.

Mandela National Stadium, meanwhile, faces major compliance challenges. CAF has recommended partial demolition of the West Stand, structural expansion, and roof replacement to bring the venue up to Category 4 standards.

The current 15-month upgrade timeline was deemed incompatible with Afcon 2027 deadlines, prompting calls for a revised construction strategy.

CAF plans a decisive inspection mission in August 2026 to assess progress. At Hoima, inspectors will evaluate redesigned spectator circulation, upgraded dressing rooms, dugouts, and media infrastructure.

Mandela will undergo scrutiny on structural works, hospitality areas, skyboxes, spectator circulation, and media facilities, with a benchmark of at least 50% completion required.

Training grounds must also reach over 80% completion, including operational dressing rooms, technical facilities, pitch maintenance equipment, and certified 2,500-lux lighting.

Beyond stadiums, CAF highlighted the need for confirmed airport readiness in Hoima, validated hotel accommodation, measurable progress on the Kampala-Hoima road corridor (minimum 40%), and functional medical and emergency response infrastructure.

“The inspection will verify demonstrable and measurable progress across all priority areas,” the report warns, underlining the high stakes for Uganda as the countdown to Afcon 2027 continues.