CHAN 2024 was a rehearsal for AFCON 2027- sports minister Janet Museveni

First Lady Janet Museveni, who also serves as the Minister of Sports and Education, together with President Yoweri Museveni, hosted the Uganda national football team, the Uganda Cranes, at a celebratory dinner at State House following their participation in the recently concluded African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024.

The event lauded the team’s historic quarter-final finish and underscored Uganda’s successful co-hosting of the continental tournament alongside Kenya and Tanzania.

Addressing the team and other stakeholders, Mrs. Museveni highlighted the multifaceted benefits of sports beyond mere competition. “Sports is not only about competition; it is a driver of tourism, unity, and economic growth,” she stated, emphasizing the broader national impact of such events.

She pointed to tangible evidence of this impact, revealing that “July 2024 recorded the highest passenger traffic in the history of Entebbe Airport, thanks in part to CHAN,” illustrating the tournament’s significant boost to the nation’s economy and its profile as a destination.

The First Lady extended her gratitude to the myriad individuals and entities whose collective efforts ensured the smooth execution of the championship. “The success of CHAN 2024 was made possible by many hands, from the dedicated Local Organising Committee, to the 350 volunteers, the 500 stewards, and the joint security agencies that kept us safe,” she acknowledged, praising the spirit of collaboration that underpinned the event.

Mrs. Museveni also drew attention to the newly renovated Namboole Stadium, describing it as “a source of national pride.” She stressed the importance of sustainable management, advising, “Our task now is to maintain it, because maintaining infrastructure costs less than rebuilding it after neglect.” This served as a key reminder about protecting national assets for long-term benefit.

Looking ahead, the First Lady framed CHAN 2024 as a crucial precursor for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027, which Uganda will co-host as part of the East African PAMOJA bid.

“CHAN 2024 was not just a tournament; it was a rehearsal for AFCON 2027, where we must build on our strengths and improve on our shortcomings,” she asserted, setting a clear vision for future endeavors.

She proudly noted the nation’s dual historical achievements during the tournament: “As a nation, we made history – Uganda hosted a continental football tournament for the very first time, and our Cranes advanced to the quarter-finals for the first time in history.”

The dinner served as a poignant moment of celebration for Uganda’s strides in continental football, both as hosts and as competitors. With the lessons learned and the pride garnered from CHAN 2024, the nation, under the guidance of its sports leadership, appears poised to make an even greater impact on the African football stage in 2027.