The State Minister for Education and Sports, Peter Ogwang has revealed plans to add at least 8,000 seats to Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) following as the country races to co-host AFCON 2027.
The development comes just days after CAF inspectors found both Namboole and the under-construction Hoima City Stadium falling short of requirements to host matches at the Africa Cup of Nations 2027, which Uganda is set to co-host with Kenya and Tanzania.
Speaking on Monday, Ogwang said the expansion is part of a broader remodeling plan aimed at aligning Namboole with CAF’s latest infrastructure guidelines, particularly on seating capacity, accessibility, and spectator comfort.
Ogwang revealed that the upgrades will push the stadium’s capacity closer to the required 45,000 seats.
“We are going to create additional space, with about 8,000 seats to be added, largely from the VVIP section. This will help us meet the required capacity,” he said.
The minister emphasized that the redesign will not only focus on increasing seating but also on ensuring compliance with modern standards, including designated areas for persons with disabilities, an area CAF inspectors flagged as critical.
“It is now a requirement globally that stadiums must have proper seating arrangements for persons with disabilities. At Namboole, we previously improvised, but this time it has to meet the standard,” Ogwang explained.
He pointed to Hoima City Stadium as a benchmark in design, noting that its plans already incorporate inclusive infrastructure, even though the facility is still under development.
Despite public optimism around Uganda’s hosting rights, the CAF inspection findings have raised urgency within government circles, noting gaps in readiness across key venues.
Ogwang acknowledged the scale of the task ahead, warning that upgrading an existing facility like Namboole presents more challenges than building a new stadium from scratch.
“It is easier to build a new stadium than to remodel one. The work at Namboole will not be small,” he noted.
The government has tasked the UPDF Engineering Brigade with executing the upgrades, a move Ogwang praised as a vote of confidence in local capacity.
With time ticking towards 2027, Uganda now faces mounting pressure to fast-track renovations and reassure CAF of its preparedness.
Government has insisted, however, that the country remains committed to delivering facilities that meet international standards.
“This is our national stadium. It must be among the best in the region,” Ogwang said.
