Uganda's AFCON Stadium rivalling Talanta Sports City nearing completion [VIDEO]

Uganda's flagship sporting infrastructure, Hoima City Stadium, which competes with Kenya's Talanta Sports City Stadium, is almost complete.

Just like Talanta Sports City, Hoima Stadium is a brand new stadium that is being constructed by the Ugandan government in preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

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The continental tourney will be held in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda after the three neighbouring nations successfully bid to host both the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and AFCON.

According to the latest list of CAF-approved stadiums, only Nelson Mandela Stadium and Namboole could host AFCON, as both St. Mary's Kitende and Hamz Stadium received approval to host up to Category 2 matches.

According to several videos posted online, the stadium looks to be in its final stages, with the majority of work already complete.

The stadium consists of two layers of fans' stands and is expected to have a seating capacity of 20,000 people.

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The works in the sitting area look complete as both the chairs in the regular section, VIP, and VVIP area are already fixed.

Just like it is at the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani in Kenya, regular seats are not foldable but have a back rest, VIP seats have both a back rest and are foldable.

The VVIP seats are executive conference seats which are cushioned, foldable, and with back rests as prescribed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The Presidential box is also complete and fitted with the necessary amenities, including a lounge and sanitary facilities that include those to be used by People With Disabilities (PWDs).

The seats in the stadium are painted with a pattern of the Ugandan flag colours, a common phenomenon in Africa.

There have also been major works carried out on the playing surface, which is expected to be mature once the project is over.

The playing surface will be one of the few hybrid pitches in Africa. The hybrid surface is largely considered the best paying surface in Football.

The fiber goalposts, as well as the nets to be used in matches, have already been installed, five months before the end of the project.

The finished walls of the facility, which were largely done with precast stones, are painted with the Ugandan colours to provide an eye-catching view.

Additionally, the roof, which was at an advanced stage of completion in our last update, is now complete and covers the whole stadium.

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To spice things up, the two big stadium LED televisions that are normally used for announcements, reviews, and watching the match have already been installed at the facility.

Currently, the major incomplete works include the construction of a 1,000-capacity parking lot, which is ongoing.

According to CAF, the parking area must include a section for competitors that can accommodate at least two buses and 10 cars for teams and officials, and be close to the changing rooms.

Additionally, a parking lot for VIP and VVIP guests with a minimum capacity of 40 cars must be provided, as well as those used by spectators in their hundreds.

The floodlights to be used for evening and night matches are also yet to be fully installed, and so are the over four generators that will be used for AFCON.

Concerns have also been raised about accessibility to the stadium due to the poor road network, but the government, through the Sports Minister Peter Ogwang, revealed that the road network leading to the facility will be improved

The Stadium, whose construction started on 1 September 2024 and is expected to last 18 months, is being undertaken by the renowned Turkish firm Suuma Construction Inc.

The company is behind the newly built Kigali Convention Center, the Kigali Arena, Dakar Arena, several airports, and stadia, including the Senegal Stadium and Amahoro Stadium.

Hoima, which sits on a 34.9-acre land, is expected to cost $131 million (approximately Ugx470 billion and Ksh16.9 billion) upon completion.

According to Uganda's Minister for Sports, Ogwang, who recently toured the facility, revealed that the project is 89% complete and is set to be tested as of October.

In Kenya, Talanta City Stadium, which is also expected to be completed by 31 December 2025, is currently at the roofing stage.

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