The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially declared Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, fit to host matches during the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), cementing Uganda’s readiness for the prestigious continental tournament.
The announcement came after a successful final inspection carried out on Thursday, July 9, as part of an eight-day assessment tour across the three host nations—Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. CAF’s delegation evaluated the readiness of each country’s stadiums, focusing on infrastructure, safety protocols, media facilities, and broadcast capabilities.
This confirmation positions Namboole among the elite stadiums set to host CHAN 2025, scheduled to take place from August 2 to 30. The tournament represents a landmark moment for the East African region, which is co-hosting a major CAF event for the first time.
Other approved venues include Kenya’s Kasarani Stadium, which will host the final, and the Nyayo International Stadium. In Tanzania, the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam will stage the opening ceremony, while Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar also made the final cut.
CAF’s inspection team comprised experts from various departments—Competitions, Marketing, Media, Broadcast, Safety & Security, and Infrastructure—working closely with Local Organising Committees (LOCs) in each host nation to ensure compliance with tournament standards.
Describing the inspection tour as a critical milestone, CAF praised the high level of preparedness shown by all three countries. The football body also acknowledged the vital role played by the respective governments and LOCs, commending their cooperation, infrastructure investments, and commitment to delivering a successful tournament.
With Namboole’s approval now official, Uganda stands ready to play a central role in what promises to be a historic and unifying championship for the East African region.
