Kyambogo University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government to transform one of its football pitches into a modern training facility for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.
The facility, located near the university’s main building, will be one of ten training venues developed for the tournament.
According to Ambrose Tashobya, the National Council of Sports chairperson, Kyambogo is one of the institutions that quickly responded to the government’s request to provide land for the facility.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) requires hosting nations to provide training facilities that meet the same standards as the main stadium, particularly regarding the quality of the playing pitch.
Tashobya said that they have already started the process to develop several such facilities in Uganda.
Tashobya explained that the development of the facility at Kyambogo will be done in two phases, but only the first phase will meet CAF/AFCON standards.
The facility will have a natural grass, a standard irrigation system, and floodlights to allow teams to train at night.
Additionally, the facility will include at least one changing room for the team training there and a perimeter fence to ensure player security.
Construction of the 14.3 billion Shilling facility will be undertaken by the UPDF Engineering Brigade and is expected to commence next month.
According to Tashobya, they anticipate the facility to be ready for use within three months.
Col. Engineer Godfrey Tukamwakira, the Commander of the UPDF Engineers Brigade, stated that they will work day and night to meet the deadline.
However, he noted that they will need to carefully plan their work as the type of grass being installed might require at least five months to fully establish.
Peter Ogwang, the state minister for sports, asked the contractors to expedite construction of the facility to ensure it is available for use before the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
He explained that after East African Pamoja won the rights to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, CAF also awarded them the CHAN hosting rights as a precursor to testing East Africa’s preparedness for the grand continental event in 2027.
The CHAN tournament is played between the best national teams of Africa, but unlike AFCON it exclusively features players who are active in their respective national championships and qualified to play in the ongoing season.
Once completed, the training facility at Kyambogo will join the one in Namboole as the two training facilities ready for the event.
The government also plans to develop another facility at Makerere University and redevelop the Mutesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku.
According to Tashobya, the government will later start construction of the second phase which would further expand the stadium to accommodate multiple sports disciplines, as part of the move to enhance the overall sports infrastructure at the different universities.
Kyambogo University Vice Chancellor, Professor Elia Katunguka said that apart from infrastructure development for AFCON, he is happy that the government is developing sports for the young people which will help them to build their physique and protect their health.
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