Why Philip Omondi Stadium was dropped from AFCON 2027 plans

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The government’s plan to use Philip Omondi Stadium as a training venue for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations has been abandoned after club management blocked essential upgrades, sports state minister Peter Ogwang has told lawmakers.

Appearing before the Parliamentary Budget Committee on January 28, 2026, Ogwang said the management of KCCA Football Club declined to allow the installation of a natural grass pitch at their Lugogo home ground, a mandatory requirement set by the Confederation of African Football.

“We had an engagement, but the club management said they were not ready to allow Philip Omondi Stadium for any upgrade. As the government, we had to look for alternative venues.” Ogwang stated.

The minister explained that the facility had initially been shortlisted as a potential training ground. However, after consultations with CAF, officials learned that only natural grass pitches would be approved for tournament training.

“At the first phase, Philip Omondi Stadium was among those we had selected, but CAF guided that they needed a facility with natural grass for it to qualify,” Ogwang said.

Following the club’s refusal, the stadium has now been formally dropped from the list of facilities earmarked for AFCON-related renovations. Ogwang confirmed that funds initially set aside for the upgrade have since been redirected to other approved sites across the country.

Despite the setback, the minister urged Parliament to continue supporting KCCA through the national budget to complete other planned improvements at the stadium for the club’s own use.

Uganda is now fast-tracking construction and upgrades at several other training grounds to comply with CAF standards ahead of the 2027 tournament.

Key facilities linked to match venues include Hoima City Stadium and Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira.

Other designated training sites are at Gulu University, Lira University, Pece Stadium, Kyambogo University, Makerere University and the FUFA Kadiba Complex. The government has already signed construction agreements with Gulu and Lira universities.

CAF regulations require each host stadium for continental tournaments to have at least four approved training grounds, a specification that continues to guide Uganda’s ongoing sports infrastructure drive.