FUFA president Moses Magogo on Tuesday gave an update on the East Africa PAMOJA bid for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania are bidding to host the 2027 edition in what would be the first time ever for Africa’s biggest football showpiece to be hosted in East Africa.
“As you are aware,” said Magogo in his address to the media at FUFA headquarters in Mengo, Kampala.
“There was a call by CAF in January for countries to bid as hosts for AFCON 2027 and three East African Nations (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) came together to officially express interest.
”We first had engagements as the three federations ((FUFA, FKF and TFF). The next step was to get approval from Governments of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania which I’m glad to report we got.
“All the three Governments of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania signed seven different guarantees that were provided by CAF and later submitted as required.”
Magogo lauded the three Presidents of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania saying they have been positive about the bid and are ready to support it.
“I want in a special way to thank the Heads of States of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, H.E William Samoei Ruto and H.E Samia Suluhu who have been supportive in this cause and committed to invest in order to realise this dream.”
The FUFA president revealed that the CAF inspection team will visit Uganda on 28th and 29th July to assess the key venues that were proposed.
“We have done a series of meetings with different key stakeholders, inspections and been to various locations. We are now at a stage where we need to update the country on what has happened and what is next.”
“The CAF Inspection Team will visit the three East African states, starting with Kenya today (Tuesday) and Uganda on 28th and 29th July before proceeding to Tanzania.
“As FUFA, we have earmarked some of the venues that will be used for sampling purposes during the inspection.”
Currently, Uganda does not have a Caf certified stadium as Namboole is under renovation and all the others fall well under international standards.
But Magogo sought to allay fears regarding playing and training facilities and their role in winning the bid.
“I want to inform the public that bids are awarded on plans, not what exists,” he said.
“We have the confidence that by 2027 the necessary structures will be in place.
“This bid is for all of us. Every Ugandan should support it because the Government has made the commitment to do massive investment in infrastructure.
“When Uganda hosted CHOGM in 2007 there were benefits that came along including the hotel industry. We believe hosting AFCON will have a lasting impact on this region.”
Algeria, Egypt and Botswana are the other countries that have bid to host the 2027 AFCON finals.
Proposed facilities
Hospital – Mulago Hospital
Hotels – Sheraton Hotel and Kampala Serena Hotel
Training Grounds – Kampala International School Uganda (KISU) and Muteesa II Stadium Wankulukuku
Stadiums – Mandela National Stadium, Denver Godwin Stadium (Garuga), St. Mary’s Stadium and Nakivubo Stadium.
Proposed new stadiums – Akii Bua Stadium and Hoima.
Airports – Entebbe International Airport, Kabalega Airport, Hoima.