The training fields were selected considering the state of available facilities and proximity to the main playing fields which include Namboole Training Grounds, Kyambogo University football field and Muteesa 2 Stadium-Wankulukuku and Makerere University football field serve Mandela National Stadium-Namboole.
The proposed training fields near Nakivubo Stadium are Lugogo Stadium, Makindye Military Officers MESS Grounds, Old Kampala Secondary School Grounds, and Kadiba Stadium.
The National Council of Sports (NCS) requires an additional sh110b for constructing these 11 training fields.
This is contained in the report of the Budget Committee of Parliament on the National Budget Framework Paper for the financial year 2024/25 to 2028/29, which the House approved with amendments on January 31, 2024.
Chaired by Kachumbala County MP Patrick Isiagi Opolot, the committee observed that the Government of Uganda committed to the joint hosting of the AFCON 2027 matches alongside Kenya and Tanzania which requires the three partner states to pay the Confederation of African Football Federation (CAF) a total of $90m.
Opolot revealed this to the House while presenting the report for approval that the National Council of Sports requires additional funding for commitment fees of $30m (about sh114b) for Uganda co-hosting the tournament bid.
He said they also observed that in addition to the two stadia of Namboole and Nakivubo, the President directed that the stadium be constructed in Hoima city to host AFCON matches, so as to fulfill the CAF requirement of having at least three stadia in Uganda with capacity to host at least 40,000 fans, 20,000 fans, and 15,000 fans, respectively.
The above stadia and training fields are expected to be ready for use by December 31, 2025, according to CAF regulations.
Opolot said that the committee noted that in order to fulfill the above CAF requirements, Uganda as a host is required to ensure that infrastructure in terms of three stadia to host the games and training fields among others are in place to avoid revoking Uganda’s bid.
Parliament agreed with the committee in recommending that the finance ministry commit sh20b to NCS for the construction of 11 training grounds for AFCON matches.
It also recommended that the finance ministry commit sh380b to NCS for the construction of Hoima (shl80b), Akiibua (sh100b), and Buhinga (sh100b) stadia.
The East Africa Pamoja consortium, comprising Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, was in September last year awarded the privilege of hosting this tournament after submitting a joint bid to CAF.
They beat other contenders such as South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, and Senegal. According to CAF’s stipulations, the minimum requirement for hosting the tournament is to provide six stadiums to accommodate the 24 participating teams.
They also state that among these stadiums, two must have a seating capacity of 40,000, two with a capacity of 20,000, and two with a capacity of 15,000.
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