The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has handed over FUFA Stadium, Kadiba to the National Council of Sports (NCS) for further redevelopment as Uganda steps up preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The handover marks another phase in the development of the facility, which is being positioned as one of Uganda's training venues for the continental tournament that will be jointly hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

Kadiba was recently used as a training facility during the African Nations Championship (CHAN), giving organisers an opportunity to put the venue's infrastructure to use during a major continental competition.

The latest redevelopment is expected to focus on key areas of the facility, including the playing surface, drainage and floodlighting, with the objective of bringing the training venue in line with Confederation of African Football (CAF) requirements.

Kadiba has become an increasingly important part of FUFA's infrastructure development programme.

FUFA's 2025 activity report identified Kadiba as a designated training ground for both CHAN and the PAMOJA AFCON 2027 project. The federation has also invested in expanding and improving the site through support from the FIFA Forward Programme.

According to FUFA's report, additional land acquired around the stadium increased the facility's total area to approximately 6.4 acres. Earlier development work included natural playing turf, upgraded floodlights, dressing rooms, stadium seating, office space, perimeter fencing, security lighting and improvements to the access road.

The new round of works therefore builds on an infrastructure project that has been progressing for several years rather than starting from scratch.

Additional details reported following Tuesday's handover indicate that the current redevelopment is expected to take about six months and will be undertaken by the UPDF Engineers Brigade at an estimated cost of Shs5.1 billion.

The reported scope includes replacing the existing playing surface with a new natural-grass pitch, alongside drainage and electrical works, floodlights and other supporting infrastructure.

The improvements are intended to give Uganda another reliable training facility as preparations intensify ahead of AFCON 2027.

The handover ceremony was witnessed by State Minister for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang, NCS Chairman Ambrose Tashobya, and a FUFA delegation led by President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim.

Representatives from the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs also attended the ceremony.

The involvement of multiple government institutions reflects the broader nature of Uganda's preparations for AFCON 2027, which require investment not only in competition stadiums but also in training grounds and supporting infrastructure.

At a CAF and host-nations planning meeting held in Kampala earlier this year, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania reviewed preparations covering infrastructure, hospitality, security, transport, media and other tournament requirements. The three countries reaffirmed their commitment to meeting CAF requirements within agreed timelines.

Uganda will co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Kenya and Tanzania under the PAMOJA AFCON 2027 arrangement.

FUFA has previously described the tournament as a major opportunity for the development of football infrastructure in Uganda. The federation's broader infrastructure programme includes the development of FUFA Stadium-Kadiba, FUFA Stadium in Lugazi and other regional facilities.

The redevelopment of Kadiba is consequently important beyond the tournament itself. Once completed, the facility is expected to provide a modern training environment that can continue serving Ugandan football after AFCON 2027.

FUFA President Magogo has previously highlighted the federation's ambition to use infrastructure development to strengthen football in Uganda, while describing the hosting of AFCON 2027 as a historic milestone for the country and the wider East African region.

With AFCON 2027 approaching, the pressure is now on Uganda to ensure that its training grounds are ready alongside the main competition venues.

Kadiba's latest redevelopment is therefore not simply an upgrade for one tournament. It is part of the wider effort to build football facilities capable of supporting national teams, clubs and player development over the longer term.

The successful completion of the project would give Uganda another facility capable of hosting high-level training while strengthening the country's football infrastructure ahead of its historic AFCON hosting assignment.

For FUFA, the handover also represents a transition from the federation's development work at Kadiba to the next stage of preparing the venue for continental football.

As Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania move closer to AFCON 2027, facilities such as Kadiba will be crucial to ensuring that teams arriving in the region have training grounds that meet the standards expected by CAF.