Parliament Demands Monthly AFCON 2027 Progress Reports

Parliament has called for monthly progress reports on Uganda’s preparations to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The legislators warned against a repeat of the mismanagement that tainted the 2007 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).  

The demands followed a ministerial statement by State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang, who assured the House that Uganda remains on course to co-host the tournament alongside Kenya and Tanzania, with major infrastructure projects progressing within the timelines set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).  

Ogwang said Uganda will host matches at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, and the newly completed Hoima City Stadium. 

He noted that both competition venues and eight training facilities are expected to be completed by December 31, 2026, ahead of the tournament scheduled for June 19 to July 18, 2027. 

The government has committed 1.35 trillion Shillings for infrastructure, logistics and operational costs, alongside an additional  905 billion Shillings for critical inter-sectoral interventions.    

The interventions include upgrading roads, airports, hotels, health facilities, ICT infrastructure and water systems, as well as introducing a joint “Pamoja Visa” with Kenya and Tanzania and waiving visa fees for visitors during the tournament.  

However, the minister’s statement drew calls for tighter parliamentary oversight.  

Shadow Minister for Sports Zambali Bulasio Mukasa welcomed the update but urged the government to complete all infrastructure well before CAF’s final inspection to allow time for testing, certification and correction of defects.  

He proposed that Parliament’s Committee on Education and Sports, together with the Shadow Minister, conduct monthly inspections of all AFCON projects to monitor progress, identify implementation bottlenecks and ensure contractors remain on schedule.  

Mukasa also asked government to submit monthly implementation reports to Parliament, saying the enormous public investment required closer oversight.  

“We don’t want reports like CHOGM. We want transparency, accountability and value for money,” he said.  

Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi echoed the concerns, particularly questioning the government’s plan to spend over 101 billion shillings on upgrading selected hotels in Hoima and Masindi.  

He asked government to explain how beneficiary hotels were selected and whether the money would be issued as direct grants or concessional loans through the Uganda Development Bank (UDB).  

“We would want to know what modus operandi was used to arrive at those who are going to benefit because these are private hotel facilities,” Ssenyonyi said.  

He also expressed concern that the planned passenger terminal at Kabalega International Airport was still awaiting contract award and financing despite the tournament drawing closer.  

Recalling Uganda’s preparations for CHOGM in 2007, Ssenyonyi warned against last-minute implementation.  

Responding, Ogwang welcomed Parliament’s oversight role and pledged full cooperation with legislators.  

On the over 101 Shillings billion hotel support package, Ogwang clarified that the money is not a grant but a loan facility to be administered through Uganda Development Bank at subsidized interest rates.   

He explained that CAF-appointed consultants, working together with the Uganda Hotel Owners Association, FUFA, the Ministry of Tourism and local stakeholders, inspected hotels in Hoima and Masindi before identifying 12 facilities that met CAF requirements for upgrading.  

“The loan facility is intended to help hotel owners meet CAF standards. Government is subsidising the lending terms because these improvements are required under the host agreement,” he said.  

The minister also promised to involve local leaders more closely in AFCON preparations, particularly in Hoima and Wakiso, where key tournament infrastructure is located.  

On Parliament’s demand for regular updates, Ogwang said he was ready to report to the House whenever required.