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CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe has confirmed that the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON Pamoja 2027) will be hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, putting to rest speculation about the tournament’s status.

Speaking after a CAF Executive Committee meeting in Tanzania’s commercial capital, Motsepe announced that the competition will be staged in June and July 2027, with the exact dates to be communicated later. His remarks come amid recent reports questioning whether East Africa would retain the hosting rights due to concerns over infrastructure preparedness.

In recent weeks, reports had suggested that the historic joint bid could face relocation if infrastructure development failed to meet required timelines. However, CAF’s position was unequivocal: the hosting rights remain with the three East African nations.

Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania secured the tournament in September 2023 under the “Pamoja” (togetherness) banner, symbolising regional unity and collaboration. 

Dr. Motsepe underscored CAF’s commitment to ensuring the tournament not only meets global standards but also leaves a lasting legacy in infrastructure, youth development and economic growth. He described AFCON 2027 as an opportunity to showcase African solidarity while accelerating investment in sports facilities across the host nations.

Among those present at the Dar es Salaam meeting was Uganda’s FUFA First Vice President Justus Mugisha, who also serves as Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee’s Workforce and Volunteers Committee, a critical portfolio in the tournament’s operational planning.

As part of CAF’s renewed oversight, inspection teams have been dispatched to Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania to evaluate progress on stadiums, training venues and related infrastructure. 

The assessment visits are designed not as punitive measures, but as collaborative engagements to ensure construction and renovation timelines align with CAF’s technical standards.

In Uganda, momentum has already picked up. Upgrades at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, are advancing, alongside improvements at Kyambogo and FUFA Stadium Kadiba. 

Uganda commissioned the newly constructed Hoima City Stadium ahead of AFCON 2027. New training facilities INCLUDING Akii bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City, training facilities in Masindi, Lira, Hoima and Gulu, are also under development. The projects are expected to boost both AFCON preparations and long-term football growth.

Across the border, Kenya and Tanzania are similarly accelerating work on key venues and transport infrastructure, reflecting a shared determination to deliver a tournament worthy of the continent.

With CAF’s latest assurance, attention now shifts from uncertainty to execution. For East Africa, AFCON Pamoja 2027 is no longer just a promise, it is a responsibility firmly in their hands.