KAMPALA
It’s a beehive of activity at the AFCON Secretariat in Kampala as the dates for hosting the African Cup of Nations under the Pamoja bid draw near.
This momentum is evident following the government’s continued commitment, after the release of UGX 130.4 billion for the completion and construction of eight training facilities.
The facilities include Hoima Boma, Masindi Municipality, Lira, Kyambogo University, Makerere University, Pece Stadium in Gulu, and Sir Tito Winyi Secondary School.
The update was shared by Dr. Dennis Mugimba, the head of the Communications and Signage Sub-Committee of the Local Organizing Committee (LIC) during a press conference held today at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.
Mugimba noted that with all required resources now available, nothing will deter them from delivering the finished work on time.
“By the end of this month, we look forward to handing over to the UPDF engineering Brigade, the necessary administrative tools to commence the works for the four training grounds,” Mugimba said.
“FUFA has also requested to be given up to the end of June this year to handover Kadiba project.”
He also tipped Ugandans on the business opportunities that come with hosting a tournament of this magnitude, urging them to prepare early to become potential beneficiaries.
“Ugandans will be free to offer Services like transportation, nature services, cultural tourism, restaurants and leisure places among others. However, all these opportunities require adequate preparation ahead of time by
products to the tourists that shall be moving into and around the country because of AFCON.” He added
Diana Nabuuso, a member of the Local Organising Committee, urged sports tourism operators to engage the Uganda Tourism Board, tourism ministry and other stakeholders on how to handle business opportunities before time runs out.
“I would also want to remind people with hotels,apartments, Air bnb, lodges that such facilities will be designated by the Ministry of Tourism as accommodation facilities for tourists. Therefore, it is good to first seek for proprietors to first seek authorisation and relevant information from the Uganda Tourism Board the fact that most tourists will start booking for accomodations six months to the tournament,” she noted.
The East Africa Pamoja bid to host the 2027 AFCON is a successful joint proposal by Uganda,Kenya, and Tanzania which signifies regional unity where 24 teams will compete across 12 venues in 10 cities and the development marks the return of AFCON to the CECAFA region for the first time since 1976. Mugimba disclosed that Uganda expects to host about 500,000 international visitors during the tournament next year, calling for improved hotel infrastructure to meet international standards.
