The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) is spearheading the development of Kadiba Ground, a project aimed at bolstering Uganda’s football infrastructure.
Initially set for completion in 2023, the stadium remains under construction due to funding delays. However, it remains a key training ground for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and a stepping stone towards Uganda’s preparations for co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Located in Mengo, Rubaga Division on land donated by the Church of Uganda, Kadiba Ground is envisioned as a top-tier training facility for both domestic and international tournaments.
Its development is funded by world football governing body, FIFA, which allocated $2.3 million to FUFA for the project in 2018. However, progress has been slow due to FIFA’s phased funding model, which releases financial support to federations after each World Cup cycle.
FUFA President Moses Magogo acknowledged that this funding approach has significantly hindered the stadium’s timely completion. Despite these challenges, critical infrastructure improvements have been made, including the installation of floodlights earlier this year.
On Tuesday, a delegation from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), led by Director of Competitions Samson Adamu, conducted an inspection of Uganda’s CHAN 2024 training facilities, including Kadiba Ground. The visit was part of a broader evaluation of the country’s readiness to host the tournament, which will primarily be played at Nelson Mandela National Stadium (Namboole).
Kadiba Stadium is expected to serve as a major training venue for teams preparing for CHAN 2024 and could also play a significant role in the 2027 AFCON edition, which will be hosted in East Africa.
In January this year, CAF recently postponed the 2025 CHAN tournament from February to August 2025, giving Uganda and its co-hosts additional time to finalise infrastructure improvements.
The next few months will be critical in determining whether the long-anticipated Kadiba project meets its role.
