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Mrs. Museveni's remarks came during a meeting with a dedicated team handling the bid, along with officials from the Ministries of Works and Defence, at the National Leadership Institute Kyankwanzi.
First Lady Janet Museveni has expressed her assurance and support for Uganda's joint bid with Kenya and Tanzania to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), known as the EAC Pamoja bid.
Mrs. Museveni's remarks came during a meeting with a dedicated team handling the bid, along with officials from the Ministries of Works and Defence, at the National Leadership Institute Kyankwanzi.
During the meeting, Mrs. Museveni, who is also the Minister for Education and Sports, expressed her gratitude to the team for their presence and emphasized the collective efforts for the benefit of Uganda.
"I have met with a dedicated team from the Sports Sub-Sector, along with officials from the Ministries of Works and Defence, at the National Leadership Institute Kyankwanzi," stated Mrs. Museveni.
"Our collective efforts are not only for ourselves, but also for the benefit of Uganda," she stated.
"I urged everyone to contribute their utmost in making Mandela National Stadium better than it was when it was first built, as it will be a showcase for all who play there.”
Mrs. Museveni also received an update on Uganda's joint bid with Kenya and Tanzania for the AFCON 2027, known as the EAC Pamoja bid.
She highlighted the significance of this bid and the shared passion for football in East Africa.
"Uganda made history as the first country in Africa to submit its joint bid,” she explained.
“This bid signifies the unwavering passion for football shared by the East African people and all African nations, as well as their commitment to advancing the sport."
Furthermore, Mrs. Museveni expressed her confidence in the collective efforts and collaboration of Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
"I am confident that through our collective efforts and collaboration, we will achieve our goals and contribute to the development of sports in Uganda," she assured.
Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda have never hosted AFCON, and are hoping that their bid for the 2027 tournament will be successful.
With regards to the facilities included in the bid, Kenya included the iconic, 60,000-seater Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), 30,000-seater Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi and Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret.
Uganda is said to have presented the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole as a possible venue, though it is unclear what the other potential venues and training grounds have been included.
Tanzania meanwhile has inked the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium – the only CAF certified stadium within the three stadiums.
The CCM Kirumba Stadium in Mwanza, Chamazi Complex - home to Azam FC, and some venues in Dodoma, Arusha and Zanzibar are the other options Tanzania will look to touch up or invest in to meet standards.
To rival East Africa’s push to bring the AFCON to the East coast of Africa, Algeria who are also bidding to host the 2025 AFCON.
Algeria is among the top football nations on the continent, and could be ready to host any event by the snap of a finger given the wealth of facilities.
The North African nation hosted the 2023 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) and currently has five venues in four cities accredited by CAF.
Another Nort African nation Egypt have also presented themselves in the running for hosting the tournament. Egypt, who hosted the tournament in 2019, currently has six stadiums in three cities accredited by CAF.
Senegal became the fifth candidate to submit a hosting bid for the AFCON when the West African nation officially submitted its bid on Monday.
Senegal, the current AFCON Champions from 2021, last hosted the tournament in 1992 and had been considering a bid for hosting 2025.
Botswana was counting on neighbours Namibia to submit a joint bid termed ‘BONA 2027’, but the latter pulled out due to financial constraints.
Botswana though remains committed to hosting the tournament, with the country’s Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Tumiso Rakgare, saying hosting the AFCON will be a significant catalyst for Botswana's development.
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