President Museveni orders faster AFCON 2027 preparations as Uganda pushes for a single East African visa with Kenya and Tanzania.
President Yoweri Museveni has directed officials to accelerate Uganda’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with the country set to co-host the tournament alongside Kenya and Tanzania.
The directive came after a Confederation of African Football (CAF) delegation assessed Uganda’s readiness ahead of the tournament, which is scheduled for June 2027.
According to Sports Nation Uganda, Museveni called for faster action on preparations while supporting efforts to introduce a single East African visa for the tournament.
CK Sports Africa also reported that the President wants authorities to move faster as Uganda works to meet CAF’s requirements.
CAF assesses Uganda’s AFCON 2027 readiness
CAF Secretary General Samson Adamu led a delegation that visited Uganda to assess stadiums, training facilities and other infrastructure being prepared for AFCON 2027.
The delegation later met Museveni at State House on September 22, 2026, where it briefed him on its findings.
CAF Country Infrastructure Manager Bianca Wambui reportedly acknowledged progress in Uganda, particularly on stadiums and training grounds.
However, the assessment also highlighted areas requiring continued attention, including facilities outside Kampala.
The tournament will place significant logistical demands on Uganda because supporters, teams, officials and media will need to move between host cities and across the three East African countries.
Museveni calls for faster action
Following the briefing, Museveni said the government would address the outstanding requirements and ensure Uganda is ready to host its share of the continental tournament.
The President pointed to Uganda’s previous experience hosting major international events as evidence of the country’s ability to accommodate international visitors.
He also indicated that the government would concentrate on areas where more work is required, particularly outside Kampala.
The latest assessment has therefore added urgency to Uganda’s preparations, with the June 2027 tournament approaching.
Single East African visa proposed for AFCON 2027
One of the key issues discussed during the meeting was the proposed single visa covering Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
The arrangement is intended to make it easier for football supporters, teams, officials and other visitors to travel between the three host countries during AFCON 2027.
CAF Secretary General Samson Adamu asked Uganda to help fast-track the initiative.
Museveni said discussions with his counterparts in Kenya and Tanzania had already started and indicated that he would follow up on the matter.
The proposed system could be particularly relevant to supporters who intend to follow their national teams across different host countries during the tournament.
Why the single visa matters
AFCON 2027 will be jointly staged across Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania under the Pamoja hosting arrangement.
Unlike a tournament held entirely within one country, the three-nation format means travelling supporters may need to cross international borders to attend matches.
A common visa arrangement could simplify that process by reducing the need for visitors to deal with separate entry requirements when moving between the three host nations.
Uganda had already backed the proposal earlier in 2026. State House previously reported that the government supported discussions on a common East African entry visa that would allow visitors to move between the three countries during the tournament.
The latest CAF intervention shows that the issue remains an important part of preparations.
Infrastructure remains a major focus
Uganda’s preparations extend beyond the main stadiums.
The country must ensure that training grounds, accommodation, transport infrastructure and other facilities meet the standards required for a tournament of AFCON’s scale.
The East African reported on September 23 that CAF had praised progress on stadiums and training facilities but identified accommodation in upcountry host cities as an area of concern.
This is particularly important because AFCON will involve teams and supporters travelling beyond Kampala.
Uganda’s host responsibilities therefore require coordination between central government, local authorities, sports bodies and other stakeholders.
Uganda’s AFCON task force briefed Museveni
Museveni also met Uganda’s National AFCON Task Force, headed by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.
The task force provided an update on preparations being undertaken by government ministries, departments and agencies.
Sports Minister Peter Ogwang and FUFA President Moses Magogo were among the officials involved in the discussions.
The government has previously said that AFCON preparations are being handled through a whole-of-government approach, with different institutions assigned specific responsibilities.
What AFCON 2027 means for East Africa
AFCON 2027 will be a significant regional sporting event because it will bring the tournament to Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania under a joint hosting model.
For Uganda, the event provides an opportunity to showcase its football infrastructure, tourism sector and ability to host international visitors.
At the same time, the three host countries face the challenge of ensuring that infrastructure, accommodation, transport and border arrangements are ready before the tournament begins.
The proposed single visa is therefore part of a wider preparation programme rather than an issue limited to immigration.
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Conclusion
With the tournament scheduled for June 2027, the focus will now shift to completing infrastructure projects, improving accommodation capacity and finalising arrangements that will allow fans, teams and officials to move efficiently across the three host countries.
The success of the Pamoja AFCON will ultimately depend on how effectively Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania translate their preparations into completed facilities and practical arrangements before the tournament kicks off.
