President Museveni Commissions $129m Hoima City Stadium, Says AFCON 2027 Has Accelerated Uganda’s Sports Infrastructure Drive

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially commissioned and opened the Hoima City Stadium, a $129 million multi-sports complex constructed as part of Uganda’s preparations to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 with Kenya and Tanzania, describing the continental tournament as a major catalyst for investment in sports and supporting infrastructure.

The state-of-the-art facility, built by Turkey’s Summa International Construction Company Inc, was completed four months ahead of schedule despite the tight timelines associated with AFCON preparations. The contractor was engaged in June 2024.https://youtube.com/shorts/zNV4JoPTm4o?si=QZ__Iu2bPJpNwrXf

Speaking on Wednesday at the commissioning ceremony held in Hoima City, western Uganda, President Museveni praised Summa for what he described as disciplined workmanship and efficiency, noting that the project was a clear demonstration of focused planning and prioritisation.

“I have seen the stadium and the roads they have constructed. They are very good workers, and we are going to do more with them,” Museveni said shortly before officially opening the facility.

A Modern International Sports Complex

Constructed on a 34-acre site on the outskirts of Hoima City, the stadium complex comprises a 20,000-seat outdoor football stadium and a 2,000-seat indoor arena. It also includes auxiliary training pitches, modern athlete facilities, media and broadcast zones, parking areas, and comprehensive security installations.

According to government officials, the facility has been designed to meet international standards, including FIFA requirements, positioning it to host AFCON matches as well as other regional and international sporting competitions beyond 2027.

The stadium is expected to become a major hub for sports development in western Uganda, while also stimulating local economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and related services.

Government Chose Full Funding Over Costly Pre-Financing

Addressing public debate over the cost of the facility, President Museveni revealed that government deliberately opted to fully fund the project after rejecting a pre-financing arrangement that would have attracted high interest charges.

“Initially the company was to pre-finance the project, but the interest was high, so we decided to fund it ourselves,” Museveni explained, adding that the decision reflected prudent financial management.

He said Uganda’s growing capacity to execute large-scale infrastructure projects is anchored in what he described as strong economic fundamentals built over decades.

“Agriculture is very strong. We don’t import food. From there we moved into manufacturing and services, and now sports are also part of the economy,” he said.

AFCON 2027 and National Pride

Uganda secured the right to co-host AFCON 2027 under the joint “Pamoja” bid with Kenya and Tanzania, a responsibility President Museveni said required the country to fast-track preparations to international standards.

“When we took on the responsibility of hosting AFCON, we could not afford to be embarrassed,” he said. “We had to make sure everything was ready.”

Hoima City Stadium is one of ten major sports facilities Uganda is developing or upgrading ahead of the tournament. The government expects these investments to boost tourism, strengthen local economies, create jobs, and enhance Uganda’s international profile.

Responding to Critics, Highlighting Industrial Progress

In a broader reflection on national development, President Museveni used the occasion to respond to critics of his administration’s economic strategy, inviting skeptics to see ongoing transformation across the country.

“I welcome the doubters of our revolutionary methods to Hoima, to Lira, and to different corners of Uganda to see for themselves the results and opportunities being created,” Museveni said.

He cited recent progress in local manufacturing, including the electric buses produced by Kira EV, which he said had successfully travelled by road to South Africa and secured an initial export order of 450 units.

“This is precisely the kind of progress we have been talking about,” he noted.

Commendation for Summa International

President Museveni, together with First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataaha Museveni, congratulated Summa International Construction Company for delivering the project on time and to the required standards.

“I join Maama Janet to congratulate the Turkish company Summa for the good work done. We shall continue to work together and do even more,” he said.

With the commissioning of Hoima City Stadium, Uganda takes another major step in its AFCON 2027 journey, while laying down long-term sports infrastructure expected to serve athletes, fans, and communities long after the final whistle of the tournament.