The First Lady of Uganda, Janet Kataha Museveni, who also serves as the Senior Minister of Education and Sports, has underscored the significance of East African countries hosting AFCON 2027, saying it is a golden opportunity to display the region’s beauty to the entire world.
In a statement delivered by her junior minister, Peter Ogwang, before the House on Tuesday, Kataha Museveni emphasized that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the most prestigious football tournament on the continent. She stated that it’s a privilege and an honour for East Africa, including Uganda, to host such a prominent sporting event.
“This marks the first time the East African region will host an international continental sporting event of this magnitude since the inception of AFCON in 1957, in Sudan. It’s also the first time the East and Central African (CECAFA) Football Zone will host AFCON in 47 years, with the last occurrence being Ethiopia in 1976. While AFCON has been hosted in West, South, and North African regions, it has never graced East Africa,” she noted.
Kataha Museveni expressed that Uganda, as a country, and East Africa, as a whole, are privileged to host AFCON 2027, a significant milestone in fostering cooperation within the East African Community.
“AFCON 2027 is not just about football; it’s also an opportunity to showcase the beauty of East Africa to the rest of the world. The region is renowned for its cultural diversity, stunning landscapes, rich wildlife, vibrant cities, and much more, making it an attractive destination for tourists.”
Nevertheless, Kataha Museveni acknowledged that despite this opportunity, the three hosting countries still face challenges, including insufficient sports infrastructure and funding, in competition with other pressing priorities.
According to her, to meet the required expectations, Uganda will need to fulfil six conditions ahead of hosting AFCON 2027. These conditions include paying a hosting fee of US$30 million (Shs112 billion) to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) before February 2025.
Other conditions involve the construction of two additional stadiums to host AFCON: Akii Bua Stadium (Lira) and Buhinga Stadium (Fort Portal) or Hoima City Stadium in Hoima. Additionally, renovation and upgrading of Mandela National Stadium and securing all necessary funding for smooth logistical operations and game delivery are required.
Kataha Museveni emphasized that AFCON 2027 necessitates substantial investment in infrastructure for the games, accommodation, air, water, and road transport accessibility. These investments are expected to yield significant dividends in the short, medium, and long term. She assured that the Ministry of Education and Sports is committed to realizing and delivering AFCON 2027 to showcase the country’s potential while developing the required infrastructure to leave behind an exciting legacy.
AFCON 2027 will be the second international sports tournament hosted by Uganda, following the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in March 2017. A report from the Sports Consultancy indicated that the direct economic impact of the championships stood at USD 2,622,000 overall, with USD 1.31 million spent on local suppliers out of a total expenditure of USD 1.96 million.
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