Mandela National Stadium, the country’s largest sporting arena and a landmark better known by its nickname Namboole, has been closed for a major overhaul that officials say will ready it for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027.
The venue, which sits just outside Kampala and currently holds a little over 40,000 fans, will be expanded to fit 60,000. Plans go beyond football seating: a new hotel, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a covered roof, and a larger VIP section designed to accommodate visiting heads of state are all part of the blueprint.
“This project is about more than just sports,” one stadium official said. “It’s about making sure Uganda is prepared to host Africa and the world.”
No matches will be played at Namboole while the work is underway.
The renovation marks the second phase of a long-running modernization effort. Uganda, together with Kenya and Tanzania, will host the 2027 tournament under the “Pamoja” — Swahili for “together” — arrangement.
Turkish construction company MS Summa has been awarded the contract. The firm is also building Hoima City Stadium in western Uganda, which the government says will be ready by December.
The first round of work at Namboole was carried out by Uganda’s army engineering brigade. That phase focused on refurbishing VIP lounges, shifting dressing rooms to the western end, creating new media and mixed zones, and enlarging the presidential section so it can host up to nine visiting leaders.
Phase two is far more ambitious. Summa will be responsible for expanding seating, installing the roof, and constructing a multi-purpose indoor arena. Officials describe the goal as creating a venue that matches international standards and delivers a world-class experience for both athletes and fans.
Summa has experience with high-profile projects in the region. In Rwanda, the company built the BK Arena, a 10,000-seat indoor facility that opened in 2019 and remains the largest of its kind in East Africa. It also delivered the Kigali Convention Center and Hotel in 2016, and a revamped Amahoro Stadium — now seating 45,000 — earlier this year.
The company has also proposed a financing model under which Uganda pays only half of the costs upfront, a move government officials say eases the pressure on public finances.
When the gates of Namboole finally reopen, officials hope the upgraded stadium will not only serve as a centerpiece for AFCON 2027 but also stand as a lasting symbol of Uganda’s push to join the ranks of global sporting destinations.
