AFCON preparations in high gear, Uganda assures public

2 September 2026, 2:30 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

As Uganda prepares to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with its East African neighbours Kenya and Tanzania, the Local Organising Committee has assured the public that preparations are progressing well.

The committee made the announcement today at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, where it updated the country on the preparations and appreciated the Government for its support.

Dr Dennis Mugimba said preparations are in high gear, adding that a CAF inspection team recently visited Uganda and inspected several pitches and facilities.

He said Uganda is making progress in meeting CAF requirements and commended the Uganda People’s Defence Forces Engineering Brigade for the work done so far.

“I want to update the country on the state of our preparation. We are happy as the Local Organising Committee to inform you that the CAF inspection team recently came to Uganda and carried out various inspections. As Uganda, we are at least somewhere as per the CAF requirements,” Mugimba said.

He assured Ugandans that most of the stadiums expected to host AFCON matches are nearing completion.

“I want to urge the public to remain calm and have faith. The country, together with our brothers in Kenya and Tanzania, will host the African Cup of Nations,” he said.

Mugimba also said opportunities are still available for people interested in providing various services during the tournament. He encouraged Ugandans to continue applying online and warned them against paying money to middlemen.

“We would like to remind our people that no one is required to pay any middleman because there is no need,” he said.

On AFCON advertising, Mugimba said CAF had advised the three host countries not to independently produce adverts before receiving official guidance.

He explained that the advertisements for Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania will have to be uniform because the tournament is being hosted jointly under the theme “AFCON Pamoja.”

“CAF has advised us that the advert should be uniform, the one from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. So, countries shouldn’t create any before CAF says so. CAF will give us the song for the tournament and other things needed to be included in the advert, then we shall be good to go,” Mugimba said.

He added that “Pamoja” means the three countries are united in hosting the tournament and assured the public that Uganda is ready to continue with preparations.

Mugimba said the Local Organising Committee will continue updating the country on the progress made ahead of the tournament.