NCS Moves to Acquire 100 Acres for National Sports Academy Ahead of AFCON 2027 Board Impressed by Progress and Beauty of Hoima City Stadium

The National Council of Sports (NCS) has stepped up preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with a major infrastructural development plan that includes acquiring 100 acres of land for a modern National Sports Academy in Hoima. The ambitious initiative is part of Uganda’s commitment to meeting the Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards as the country co-hosts the continental tournament alongside Kenya and Tanzania.

Earlier today, a high-level NCS delegation led by Board Chairman Ambrose Tashobya visited Hoima to inspect the proposed site at Sir Tito Winyi College, land the government is negotiating to purchase from the Bunyoro Kitara Diocese. The 100-acre block will serve as a required training facility attached to the Hoima City Stadium—one of Uganda’s key AFCON 2027 venues.

While the land will initially be used to set up a football training ground for AFCON, NCS has laid out a much broader post-tournament plan: transforming the site into a full-fledged National Sports Academy. During the tour, Chairman Tashobya—accompanied by Board Members Moses Anyii Omara, Cecilia Anyakoit, Piloya Evelyn Gloria, Stephen Kiprotich, and senior NCS Secretariat staff—expressed confidence in the project's long-term impact.

Once fully developed, the academy will feature:

A CAF-standard football training pitch attached to the stadium

Six additional training pitches for academy programs

Outdoor courts for basketball and volleyball

A modern gym Dormitories for resident athletes

A hostel for visiting teams and officials

Classrooms and an administration block

The site’s proximity—just a few kilometres from Hoima City Stadium along the Hoima–Masindi Highway—positions it as a central hub for athlete development and sports excellence.

Tour of Hoima City Stadium: A World-Class Facility Nearing Completion 

After inspecting the proposed academy land, the delegation headed to the Hoima City Stadium, where Turkish contractors SUMMA conducted an extensive tour of the facility.

The Board was treated to a walkthrough of the stadium’s advanced features, including:

Luxurious VIP and VVIP lounges

A state-of-the-art multi-screen

Venue Operations Centre

A fully equipped Media Tribune and Mixed Zone

A five-star natural pitch with modern sprinkler systems

A gym and cafeteria with top-grade finishing

The impressive Hoima City Indoor Arena, complete with new hoops, a modern court surface, and retractable seating

Chairman Tashobya and his team expressed satisfaction at the remarkable progress, describing the facility as a “world-class stadium befitting Uganda’s AFCON hosting aspirations.”

With construction work in its final stages, preparations are intensifying for the formal handover of the Hoima City Stadium to the Government of Uganda. The ceremony is expected within the coming weeks, marking a major milestone in AFCON 2027 readiness.

The NCS Board emphasized that the combined stadium and academy projects are not only vital for the tournament but will also serve as long-term investments in Uganda’s sports ecosystem—nurturing athletes, creating jobs, and positioning Hoima as an emerging sports development hub.