KAMPALA Uganda — President Yoweri Museveni officially launched the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Kampala on Friday 25 July 2025, signalling East Africa’s collective readiness to co-host the prestigious continental football tournament.
This event marks a significant milestone, representing the region’s first time hosting the championship, following months of dedicated coordination and lobbying efforts led by national and regional sports authorities.
Speaking at the launch event held at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, President Museveni underscored the crucial role of sustained peace and robust infrastructure development in establishing Uganda as a suitable host for such a high-profile competition.
He noted that the flourishing of sports in Uganda is a direct result of long-standing peace and stability, which have provided fertile ground for young talent to thrive.
Reflecting on the nation’s sporting journey, he acknowledged that while early government support for sports was indirect, it has evolved into deliberate and direct investment in youth development and essential sports infrastructure.
President Museveni lauded football’s unifying power, describing it as both a source of entertainment and a vital force for Pan-Africanism and fostering national identity.
He reminisced about earlier years when Uganda lacked even the basic facilities to organize international competitions, attributing today’s success to consistent progress and strategic planning.
The President, accompanied by First Lady Janet Museveni, who also serves as the Minister for Education and Sports, commended sports leaders and the nation’s youth for their contributions to building Uganda’s sporting image across Africa.
The President recalled the demanding standards Uganda had to meet, including securing at least 7,500 hotel beds, to be eligible to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2007. He pointed out that such major events have historically spurred the government to prioritize improved infrastructural development.
Engineer Moses Magogo, President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), lauded President Museveni’s personal involvement in securing Uganda’s hosting rights and signing the necessary guarantees.
According to Magogo, FUFA could not proceed with submitting its bid to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) until President Museveni personally endorsed the guarantees.
That pivotal signature, Magogo stated, enabled Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania to present a unified and highly competitive proposal in Cairo, ultimately securing the hosting rights in September 2024.
Magogo also commended the government’s unwavering commitment to sports development through significant infrastructure investment.
He highlighted that the successful hosting of CHAN, under the theme “PAMOJA” (meaning “together” in Swahili), will be greatly facilitated by Uganda’s upgraded stadiums, including Namboole, Nakivubo, and Akibua, all of which have been brought up to international standards.
Kadiba Stadium is designated to serve as the home base for Uganda’s national team throughout the championship.
Furthermore, Magogo underscored the government’s contribution to grassroots sports development, citing the distribution of 66,000 footballs to primary schools nationwide.
These schools, he added, are now equipped with computers to capture and manage talent data, a strategic move aimed at ensuring the early identification and nurturing of young football stars.
Janet Kataaha Museveni, the First Lady and Minister for Education and Sports, characterized CHAN 2024 as a moment of profound national reflection. She recalled Uganda’s challenging past, marked by the destruction of both public infrastructure and human capital, and celebrated the nation’s remarkable progress.
“This is our history said and while we may not be proud of parts of it, it is ours. But today, God has remembered us. Hosting CHAN is proof that we have recovered, and now walk forward with dignity,” said Janet. She emphasized that Uganda’s co-hosting of the tournament with Kenya and Tanzania transcends a mere sports event; it stands as a powerful symbol of regional unity.
“Sports brings out the kind of joy that unites people from across divides and makes us see each other as part of a bigger family. Our coming together under the PAMOJA banner is a testament to what football can do it builds societies, strengthens integration, and drives development.”
Mrs. Museveni also detailed the enduring infrastructural legacy that CHAN 2024 will leave behind. She stated that this opportunity has enabled the government to upgrade facilities such as FUFA Kadiba, Muteesa II Stadium Wankulukuku, and Kyambogo sports grounds—assets that would otherwise have remained underdeveloped. She assured the nation and all participating teams, including those from Algeria, Niger, Guinea, and South Africa, of Uganda’s readiness to host a successful and secure tournament.
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Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang, also addressed the gathering, affirming that East Africa’s successful CHAN bid was a clear reflection of regional unity and shared ambition. He reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting sports, not only through infrastructure but also through robust policy frameworks.
The government recently enacted the National Sports Act 2023, signed into law by President Museveni with the assistance of Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka. This Act repealed the outdated 1964 law, bringing Uganda’s sports policy in line with modern international standards.
President Museveni concluded the event by taking photographs with children from local football academies and football legends, symbolizing both the enduring legacy and promising future of Ugandan football.
At least 19 national football teams are expected to arrive in East Africa for the games, which are scheduled to commence on August 2nd and run until August 30th, 2025. Uganda is set to play its first game against Algeria on Monday, August 4th, 2025, at 8 pm in Namboole Stadium.
The games are organized by Total Energies and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
