Magogo makes demands ahead of AFCON 2027 preparations
Ojok Andrew Oulanyah, the Omoro County MP said: Let us make hosting of AFCON 2027 as inclusive as possible. We need to find ways of having the populace tapping into this opportunity.
The President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), also a Member of Parliament for Budiope East, while appearing in Parliament, has warned that Uganda doesn’t have a lot of time to prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 and advised that work must start now.
Magogo who was speaking during a parliament sitting in which Oyam District Woman MP, Santa Alum, processed a motion on the successful East Africa Pamoja bid, comprising Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya for hosting AFCON 2027, made some demands.
“We need to waive taxes for the private investors involved in the construction of stadia,” Magogo suggested, justifying that AFCON 2027 is an opportunity for the East Africa Community (EAC) to achieve integration.
On September 27 2027, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced that the bid by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania which had applied to co-cost 2027 AFCON under the Pamoja bid had succeeded.
The Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang, presented a statement on the successful Pamoja bid. He said hosting AFCON 2027 is a great milestone in fostering the spirit of cooperation in the East African Community (EAC).
He noted that hosting AFCON 2027 requires substantial investment in infrastructure for the games, accommodation, air, water, and road transport accessibility. These are expected to yield significant dividends in the short, medium and long term, he said.
Santa Alum said hosting of AFCON 2027 gives Uganda an opportunity for business, tourism and above talent development.
Former sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi re-echoed Magogo’s plea to start the preparations immediately.
“It is now time to prepare the teams, infrastructure and the country generally. We are talking of 2027; we have time to prepare,” he said.
Bukomansimbi South MP, Kayemba Ssolo said there is a need to use professionals to construct the stadia that will be used for AFCON 2027. “We don’t want to get into a situation like we had with CHOGM. I want the thieves to stay away from the preparations for AFCON 2027,” he said.
Mathias Mpuuga, the MP for Nyendo-Mukungwe, said if the infrastructure is worked on, everyone will be happy about Uganda.
“It is a chance to market the country. Football should unite and draw us closer and tolerate one another,” Mpuuga said.
Ogwang said they have plans to build regional stadia. “We need to have funds appropriated to the sports sector. Let us tax these betting firms and channel this money to develop infrastructure,” Ogwang suggested.
