Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) President Moses Magogo Hassim has outlined new government support for the Uganda Cranes as preparations intensify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Uganda will co-host the continental tournament with Kenya and Tanzania from 19 June to 17 July 2027, with the three countries continuing preparations for the competition and associated infrastructure.

Speaking about the national teams and preparations for AFCON 2027, Magogo said FUFA's approach is to give Uganda's national teams regular opportunities to compete at different levels.

The programme currently involves several teams, including the U-15, U-17 and U-20 sides, the Sand Cranes, Crested Cranes and senior Uganda Cranes.

One of the major announcements concerns the welfare and logistics of the senior national team.

Under the new arrangements, Uganda Cranes players based outside the country who travel for more than four hours will be eligible to travel in business class. FUFA also said a new team bus will be provided, while chartered flights will be considered for back-to-back international fixtures where necessary.

The Federation has also secured improved bonuses and allowances for the senior team.

Players who featured in Uganda's qualification campaign for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations are set to receive a pro-rata qualification bonus of US$10,000 each, following discussions between FUFA and the Government.

FUFA also announced plans for the national team to stay in five-star hotels during camps in Uganda and abroad whenever possible.

According to Magogo, the measures are intended to raise the standards surrounding the national team and improve the players' overall welfare.

The Uganda Cranes are currently preparing in Tunisia for their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.

Uganda will face Tunisia on 24 September 2026 before returning home to take on Libya at Hoima City Stadium on 29 September at 7pm. FUFA previously confirmed the two matches as part of Uganda's Group H qualifying programme.

Although Uganda has already secured its place at AFCON 2027 as one of the host nations, the Cranes are taking part in the qualifiers in accordance with CAF regulations.

The Hoima fixture will be particularly significant as it will be the first time Uganda hosts an AFCON qualifier outside Kampala.

FUFA has called on Ugandans to turn up in large numbers for the historic match at Hoima City Stadium.

After the September fixtures, Uganda is also scheduled to play two international friendlies against the Democratic Republic of Congo in October.

FUFA is also continuing efforts to identify players born or based outside Uganda who could be eligible to represent the country.

Magogo said FUFA officials, Government representatives and the Uganda Cranes technical team have travelled to different countries to engage potential players, their families and agents.

The process is expected to continue across several international windows, with players potentially becoming available at different stages depending on their eligibility and other requirements.

Magogo also appealed to Ugandans and the media to welcome players who join the national team from abroad.

Some of the players, he noted, may have limited experience of living in Uganda because they grew up outside the country. FUFA therefore expects an adaptation period as they become familiar with the national team environment and Ugandan culture.

The FUFA President also highlighted the federation's focus on developing players through the national youth teams.

Uganda's U-15 team is preparing for the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan, scheduled for 22–31 October 2026.

The team is expected to draw largely from the FUFA Academy League and potentially the FUFA Juniors League, forming part of the pathway towards the U-17 national team.

Two U-17 teams are also being prepared for separate assignments, while the Uganda U-20 team is involved in the ongoing regional qualification competition in Tanzania.

The Sand Cranes are preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Burundi, while the Crested Cranes are expected to begin preparations for their Olympic qualification assignment against Zambia.

FUFA says the wide range of competitions is designed to give players opportunities to progress through the different age categories and eventually compete for the senior national team.

Preparations for AFCON 2027 are also driving major investment in Uganda's football infrastructure.

Uganda is working towards having three international-standard stadiums available for the tournament: Mandela National Stadium in Namboole, Hoima City Stadium and Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium.

According to the Uganda AFCON 2027 Local Organising Committee, the country is targeting completion of all three stadiums by the end of December 2026. Akii-Bua was reported to be close to 80 percent complete, while most of the CAF-identified upgrades at Hoima City Stadium had been addressed.

The wider programme also includes training facilities in different parts of the country.

The Government has committed funding for additional training grounds, while FUFA continues to engage Government on the development of football facilities in other regions, including Mbarara, Fort Portal, Jinja, Mbale and West Nile.

FUFA's longer-term objective is to have facilities capable of supporting Uganda Premier League-level football across the country's regions.

Magogo said Government support for football has expanded beyond the national teams to include clubs, infrastructure and policies intended to strengthen the sports industry.

He said up to UGX 32 billion in additional funding has been committed towards the various initiatives discussed with FUFA.

The AFCON 2027 infrastructure programme is being supported separately through substantial Government investment. The Local Organising Committee has said Government is fully funding the development of the three stadiums and nine additional training facilities, with UGX 135.7 billion allocated for the nine additional training facilities.

Magogo also described AFCON 2027 as an opportunity extending beyond football.

The tournament is expected to generate opportunities for businesses involved in areas such as services, hospitality, tourism and other sectors linked to hosting a major international sporting event.

The Uganda Local Organising Committee has already reported significant interest from local suppliers, with hundreds of businesses registering for potential procurement opportunities connected to the tournament.

For FUFA, the objective is to ensure that the investment and commercial activity surrounding AFCON 2027 contribute to the development of Ugandan football and the wider sports industry long after the tournament ends.

With the Cranes preparing for Tunisia and Libya and major infrastructure projects continuing across the country, Uganda's preparations for AFCON 2027 are entering an important phase.