By Amon Ngabo
Uganda’s sports budget has been placed at Shs460.78 billion for the 2026/27 financial year, with government putting fresh money into preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The allocation is provided under the National Council of Sports, with Shs3.01 billion going to wages, Shs191.42 billion to non-wage spending and Shs266.35 billion to domestic development.
The wider Education, Skills and Sports vote has been allocated Shs6.66 trillion, but the direct sports line under the National Council of Sports stands at Shs460.78 billion.
The money comes at a time Uganda is racing to get its sports infrastructure ready for AFCON 2027, which it will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania.
In the Budget Speech, Finance Minister Henry Musasizi said Hoima Stadium has been completed, upgrades at Namboole Stadium are progressing well, and other required tournament facilities remain on schedule. Construction of Akii-Bua Stadium is also said to be on schedule.
For Ugandan sport, this is the clearest budget signal yet that AFCON has moved from planning to delivery.
Hoima Stadium is the biggest completed item. Its readiness gives Uganda a new tournament venue in the Albertine region, where government is also preparing Kabalega International Airport for First Oil and AFCON 2027. Physical works at the airport are complete, with government now finalising operational requirements.
That link is important. AFCON will not be won by stadium grass alone. Teams, fans, officials, broadcasters and sponsors will need airports, roads, hotels, hospitals, security, media centres and reliable transport.
Namboole remains the country’s main football arena. Its upgrade will be watched closely because CAF standards go beyond the pitch. The stadium must be ready on dressing rooms, lighting, media areas, security zoning, hospitality, access control, broadcast positions and crowd movement.
Akii-Bua Stadium is the other major facility in the Budget. Government says construction is on schedule. If completed to standard, it will give northern Uganda a major sports venue and take high-level events beyond Kampala.
The Budget also gives sports a transport backbone. Entebbe International Airport’s first phase of rehabilitation and expansion is complete, with a new passenger terminal and expanded cargo facility. Passenger capacity has increased from 2 million to 3.5 million travellers per year. Twelve regional aerodromes have also been maintained to support regional connectivity for tourism and trade.
That matters because AFCON is also an aviation, tourism and logistics event. Fans must arrive. Teams must move. Broadcasters must set up. Hotels must fill. Host cities must work.
The Shs460.78 billion sports allocation therefore carries two tests.
The first is tournament readiness. Uganda must deliver venues that meet continental football requirements before CAF inspection deadlines.
The second is legacy. Hoima, Namboole and Akii-Bua must not become facilities that wait for national team matches. They must host league football, athletics, schools competitions, concerts, conferences, regional tournaments and community sport.
That is where the money will either count or disappear.
For athletes, better facilities mean better training and competition. For clubs, they mean stronger match-day revenue. For broadcasters, they mean better production standards. For local businesses, they mean work around hotels, food, transport, security, media and events.
