Hoima City Council Approves 6.7-Acre Site for AFCON 2027 Training Facility

Hoima, Uganda — In a significant move ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Hoima City Council has approved the transfer of 6.7 acres of land at Booma Grounds to the National Council of Sports (NCS) for the development of a modern training facility.

Decision Amid Pressure

The land approval came during an extraordinary council meeting held on November 19, 2025, at the HB Hotel. The decision followed a one-week ultimatum from State Minister for Sports, Peter Ogwang, who had demanded the title handover or threatened to shift the facility proposal elsewhere.

Debate and Dissent

The vote was not without controversy. Several councilors raised concerns over community access and land use, calling for public consultations (barazas) and a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) prior to handing over the land.

Councillor Idi Magezi argued for a stakeholder-inclusive MoU, ensuring local residents’ interests are protected.

Council Secretary for Works, Margaret Monday, also called for wide public engagement before any title transfer.

Joshua Byenkya, representing Hoima West, pressed for clarification on how various parts of the Booma grounds will be used, particularly the businesses currently operating there.

Despite objections, Mayor Brian Kaboyo defended the urgency, saying that public meetings were not legally required and that the final MoU would draw from precedents used by other local governments that have similarly handed over land to NCS.

A vote was held: 8 councilors supported a direct title transfer, while 2 insisted on prior consultations.

The Project and Its Financing

The project is backed by a UGX 13.2 billion government budget to transform the Booma Grounds into a top-tier training facility. The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Engineering Brigade will undertake the construction, with an expected eight-month timeline.

Mayor Kaboyo also noted that some previously allocated funds will be redirected: money from an earlier project to upgrade Booma Grounds under the UCMID (Uganda Cities and Municipalities Infrastructure Development) program — originally meant to build a market — will now support the training facility.

Strategic Importance

This training facility is part of Uganda’s broader infrastructure push ahead of AFCON 2027, during which Hoima City Stadium will be one of the host venues. The stadium itself, being built by Turkish firm SUMMA, is a $129 million multi-purpose complex with a 20,000-seat capacity, indoor arena, swimming pool, and training pitches.

State Minister Ogwang and other proponents have emphasized that the training ground will boost not only sports performance but also economic development in Hoima — with jobs expected in construction and related services.