A furious Ugandan Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, has demanded immediate answers regarding the delayed renovations at Namboole National Stadium, warning: “No Namboole, No AFCON.”
With AFCON 2027 preparations reportedly stalling in Uganda, the Prime Minister is not hiding her frustration. Fearing that Uganda’s slow progress might affect co-hosts Kenya and Tanzania, she has demanded immediate results.
During a multi-sectoral preparatory meeting at her office in Kampala yesterday, Prime Minister Nabbanja tasked the UPDF Engineering Brigade with expediting the ongoing construction works at Namboole National Stadium to ensure the country remains on track to host the continental showpiece.
“Namboole is the umbilical cord of PAMOJA. It should be the priority, not other infrastructure. We are going to shame our brothers and sisters from Kenya and Tanzania who are doing a good job,” stressed the Prime Minister.
With Uganda’s hosting venues for the AFCON 2027 games confirmed as Hoima Stadium and Namboole Stadium, and Akii-Bua Stadium designated as a backup, her worry is well-justified.
“Mandela National Stadium, Namboole’s seating capacity will be raised from 38,000 to 45,000, and works are to be completed by December 31, 2026,” State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, assured the Prime Minister.
Crucial CAF inspections are scheduled for August 31, 2026, in line with a strict deadline requiring all training facilities to be completed by December 31, 2026.
State Minister Ogwang also shared critical updates regarding financial allocations, noting that there is still enough time to get things right.
“The government has earmarked Ugx 185 billion to construct a passenger terminal at Kabalega Airport ahead of the 2027 AFCON,” Ogwang noted, adding, “The government has also set aside Ugx 101 billion to lend to hotels in the Hoima region at an interest rate of 5% to upgrade them to CAF standards.”
