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A look at newly built Uganda’s 20,000-seater Hoima Stadium ahead of 2027 AFCON
30th September, 2026 01:04 PM
Uganda has completed construction of its newly built 20,000-seater Hoima City Stadium, delivering a major boost to East Africa’s readiness for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The modern facility in Hoima City officially welcomed football fans on September 29, 2026, when the Uganda Cranes hosted Libya in an AFCON qualifier before a sold-out crowd.
The match served as an operational test for the venue, proving its capability to host high-profile international fixtures.
Modern infrastructure built to international standards
Constructed by Turkish contractor Summa at an estimated cost of USD129.7 million (Ksh16.7 billion), Hoima City Stadium has been engineered specifically to meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) guidelines.
The facility features an all-seater covered grandstand, modern floodlighting towers, high-definition digital scoreboards, team dressing rooms, and dedicated player recovery spaces.
Beyond the main football pitch, the complex encompasses an indoor sports arena, auxiliary training grounds, VIP hospitality suites, press conference rooms, and extensive parking facilities designed for large matchday crowds.
The stadium design draws inspiration from local Bunyoro cultural patterns, incorporating these traditional motifs into its exterior facade and seating arrangement.
In their study on sports infrastructure across African host nations, researchers Henry Bama and Tembi Tichaawa noted that “preparations for the hosting of flagship events are often preceded by massive investments in infrastructure, both in terms of event-related infrastructure such as stadia, and other related investments like transport upgrades”.
Boost for regional sports and tourism
Situated in Uganda’s oil-producing Albertine region, Hoima City Stadium is expected to stimulate local business, hotel accommodation, and transport services.
The venue forms part of a broader infrastructure wave sweeping East Africa under the Pamoja 2027 AFCON joint bid, which brings together Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania to host the continental showpiece.
As Kenya continues renovations on Kasarani Stadium and Nyayo National Stadium alongside constructing Talanta Sports City in Nairobi, Uganda’s completion of Hoima Stadium sets a benchmark for the regional partnership.
