Uganda’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have gained fresh momentum following the handover of two football training grounds to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Engineering Brigade for upgrading ahead of the continental tournament.
The developments at Kadiba Sports Ground and the Sir Tito Winyi Secondary School Training Facility and National Academy are part of Uganda’s wider preparations to provide quality training facilities for teams expected to participate in the 2027 AFCON, which Uganda will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania.
The two facilities were handed over on separate days, with Kadiba handed over yesterday, followed by the Sir Tito Winyi training facility today.
Kadiba training ground handed over
On Wednesday, the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) officially handed over Kadiba Sports Ground to the UPDF Engineering Brigade to commence upgrade works ahead of AFCON 2027.
The handover was part of efforts to increase Uganda’s number of quality training grounds that can meet the standards required for the continental tournament.
The event was presided over by State Minister for Sports and Co-Chairperson of the AFCON 2027 Local Organising Committee (LOC), Hon. Peter Ogwang, who handed the facility to the UPDF Engineering Brigade.
Ogwang commended FUFA President Moses Magogo, the football fraternity and other stakeholders for their efforts towards making Uganda’s AFCON 2027 hosting a reality.
He also thanked President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his guidance and support towards the development of sports infrastructure.
The minister called on Ugandans to embrace the tournament preparations, noting that AFCON 2027 would bring significant opportunities and benefits to the country.
He also urged contractors to ensure that all works meet the required Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.
Ogwang expressed confidence in the UPDF Engineering Brigade to deliver the required improvements, citing its experience in major infrastructure projects.
He said he was confident that the Kadiba training ground would be ready by December 31, 2026, ahead of the tournament.
Kadiba has a long history of contributing to football development in Uganda and has served as an important ground for nurturing football talent.
The facility was established on land provided by Namirembe Diocese, while FUFA later expanded the grounds to approximately 6.4 acres through additional acquisition.
Sir Tito Winyi training facility handed over
Today, Thursday, the AFCON 2027 infrastructure drive continued with the official handover of the Sir Tito Winyi Secondary School Training Facility and National Academy to the UPDF Engineering Brigade.
The handover ceremony was presided over by National Council of Sports (NCS) Chairperson Ambrose Tashobya, who represented State Minister for Sports and Co-Chairperson of the AFCON 2027 LOC, Hon. Peter Ogwang.
The UPDF Engineering Brigade is expected to commence the upgrade works to transform the facility into a modern training ground ahead of AFCON 2027.
The Sir Tito Winyi facility is expected to serve as one of the training venues for teams during the tournament while also retaining its wider role in football development and talent identification.
Its designation as a training facility and national academy gives the project significance beyond AFCON 2027, as the upgraded ground is expected to support the development of young footballers and provide improved facilities for football activities after the tournament.
Expanding Uganda’s training facilities
The handovers at Kadiba and Sir Tito Winyi underscore the importance Uganda is placing on training grounds as it prepares to host Africa’s biggest football tournament.
While major match venues remain central to AFCON preparations, quality training grounds are equally important because participating teams require suitable facilities for training throughout the competition.
The involvement of the UPDF Engineering Brigade is expected to accelerate the upgrade of the two facilities while ensuring that the works are undertaken to the required standards.
The projects also form part of government’s broader investment in sports infrastructure and its commitment to leaving a lasting sporting legacy after AFCON 2027.
For Kadiba, the upgrade builds on the ground’s long-standing contribution to Ugandan football. For Sir Tito Winyi, the project offers an opportunity to strengthen its role as a national football academy and talent-development centre.
With Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania jointly preparing to host AFCON 2027, the two consecutive handovers provide another indication that preparations are moving from planning to actual implementation.
From Kadiba yesterday to Sir Tito Winyi today, Uganda is steadily building the training infrastructure needed to welcome Africa’s best footballing nations in 2027.
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