Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces and Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, on Thursday carried out an inspection of the newly completed Hoima City Stadium, urging sports authorities to keep the venue operating at top quality as the country prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The 20,000-seat stadium completed in 18 months and delivered five months ahead of deadline is one of three Ugandan facilities selected to host AFCON fixtures. Its official commissioning by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected in the coming weeks.

Gen. Kainerugaba toured the complex together with project leaders and government officials, among them Project Manager Murat Altun, SUUMA Chairman Selim Bora, CEO Envar Sayan, Sports Minister Peter Ogwang, officials from the National Council of Sports, and the Mayor of Hoima City. He was briefed on several of the stadium’s features, including VIP sections, a semi-Olympic swimming pool, upgraded changing rooms, an external training pitch, and a 2,000-seat indoor arena.

“This stadium meets international standards, and it is important that such standards are maintained,” he said during the inspection. He also asked Ogwang and the National Council of Sports to ensure that the facility’s quality becomes “a benchmark” for future infrastructure developments, noting that Uganda’s success as an AFCON co-host will depend on the readiness of its venues.

Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania are jointly preparing to stage AFCON 2027, prompting significant investment in sports facilities across the region. The Hoima City Stadium is viewed as a key component of Uganda’s hosting plan, while also supporting long-term athlete development and boosting economic activity in one of the country’s fastest-growing hubs.

Gen. Kainerugaba emphasized that modern sports infrastructure is vital for elevating Uganda’s athletic performance. “If we want our sportsmen and women to succeed, we must give them the very best facilities,” he said.

Government officials say the stadium represents a “strategic investment” aimed not only at meeting AFCON requirements but also at promoting wider regional development beyond the tournament.