Uganda’s largest sporting cathedral, Mandela National Stadium, better known as Namboole, has gone silent, but only so it can roar back louder. The facility has been closed to allow a sweeping facelift as Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania gear up to stage the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027 under the joint Pamoja hosting project.
At the heart of the plan is a dramatic expansion: the 40,000-seater will grow into a 60,000-capacity arena draped with a modern closed roof. The blueprint also stretches far beyond football. A state-of-the-art hotel, an Olympic-standard swimming pool, and a fully-fledged multipurpose indoor arena are on the cards. An enlarged VIP section will welcome visiting heads of state, a clear nod to the high-profile guests the tournament is expected to draw.
Turkish giants MS Summa, already responsible for the new Hoima City Stadium, will steer this second phase of redevelopment. Their task involves heavy structural works, roof installations, and new seating designs. Phase one, driven by the UPDF Engineering Brigade, had earlier freshened up VIP lounges, repositioned dressing rooms, and introduced new media and mixed zones.
In a bid to ease Uganda’s financial burden, Summa has suggested a flexible funding model that requires only half the costs upfront. Officials see this as a timely boost for government coffers.
When the dust finally settles, Namboole is expected to emerge as a world-class showpiece fit for Africa’s biggest football festival, and a symbol of Uganda’s ambition to stand tall on the global sporting stage.
