AFCON 2027: Why Uganda Is Hosting a Senior CAF Delegation on Three-Day Visit Before August Inspection

A high-level CAF delegation will arrive in Kampala on Tuesday morning, April 21, signalling a do-or-die phase for the three host nations, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

The delegation will be out to conduct a strategic assessment to see if the ambitious PAMOJA vision can withstand the pressure of a looming 2027 deadline.

Leading the charge is Samson Adamu, Acting CAF General Secretary, who is bringing a specialised delivery squad to scrutinise every functional area of the tournament. Senior CAF officials from departments including competitions, commercial, broadcasting, safety and security, and finance will also be present.

The two-day summit (April 22-23) will also involve government representatives from all three nations, ensuring that the logistical requirements on the ground are on course.

CAF has already shared a bold message with the local organising committees, noting that the next phase of preparation demands operational readiness.

While the spirit of collaboration is strong, the physical reality is currently a work in progress. Each nation is sprinting to meet the rigorous CAF Category 4 standards:

In Kenya, the Talanta Sports Stadium has hit the 80% completion mark, with focus now shifting to high-tech hybrid pitch installation and VVIP seating.

However, existing venues like Kasarani are still undergoing the massive upgrades needed to satisfy international broadcast requirements.

In Uganda, the iconic Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) is in its second phase of renovation. With the UPDF Engineering Brigade working around the clock, the goal is to expand capacity to 45,000 and fix the significant gaps previously flagged by inspectors. Works at the Hoima stadium are also being addressed.

For Tanzania, while the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium is a flagship venue, CAF has called for a total pitch reconstruction and a massive boost in lighting power to meet the 2,500 lux threshold. The Samia Suluhu Stadium is also in progress.

The Kampala meetings will dive deep into the vital parts of tournament hosting. Security protocols across three different borders must be synchronised, procurement processes must be transparent to avoid delays, and media facilities must be built to accommodate a global press corps.

The three host nations are expected to provide updates on key delivery priorities for the next phase of preparations for the competition. For the host nations, the next few months leading into the August inspection milestone are critical.